Streptococcal

Infect Immun, 1982 Jan, 35(1), 202 - 4
Comparison fo agglutinin titers for Streptococcus mutans in tears, saliva, and serum; Allansmith MR et al.; The agglutinin titers for three Streptococcus mutans serotypes (AHT, BHT, and 10449, representing serotypes a, b, and c, respectively) were measured in the saliva, tears, and serum of 19 human subjects . Naturally occurring S . mutans agglutinins were routinely present in all fluids tested in the absence of overt local stimulation by antigen . The immunoglobulin A nature of this secretory agglutinin activity was suggested by blocking with alpha heavy-chain-specific antiserum and by the demonstration of S . mutans-reactive immunoglobulin A in the saliva and tears by indirect immunofluorescence . This finding is consistent with stimulation and antigen commitment of immunoglobulin A precursor lymphocytes at remote sites and subsequent homing to the lacrimal system . The relationship of anti-AHT agglutinins to anti-10449 agglutinins differed among the body fluids tested . The tears had more agglutinins for strain AHT than for strain 10449, whereas the reverse was true for saliva and serum . A possible explanation is local antigen-driven expansion of AHT-reactive committed lymphocytes in the lacrimal tissues.

Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg, 1982, 76(3), 392 - 5
Necrotizing fasciitis-a disease of temperate and warm climates; Seal DV et al.; Necrotizing fasciitis is a distinct clinical entity . It is usually due to Streptococcus pyogenes but may occasionally be caused by Staphylococcus aureus . It needs to be considered in relationship to other infections due to Streptococcus pyogenes, in which the clinical disease that occurs may be associated with the depth of inoculation of the coccus . Mild cases have been identified that are self-limiting as well as serious cases which would have succumbed without surgical debridement . It is likely that some cases of necrotic tropical ulcer are due to necrotizing fasciitis.

Microbiol Immunol, 1982, 26(2), 93 - 105
Group H streptococcal bacteriocins having no relation to bacterial transformation; Ito T; The culture filtrate of group H streptococcus strain Challis produced a competence factor (CF) for bacterial transformation as well as a bactericidal factor(s) against Wicky cells . Strain 36658, in the same streptococcal group, also produced the bactericidal factor(s) but not CF . The effect of the Challis bacteriocin was limited to strains Wicky and 58, whereas the 36658 bacteriocin affected 67% of 49 strains tested . Strain 58, one of the indicator strains, was affected by the bactericidal activity of these bacteriocins but not by CF activity, and failed to transform . No relationship between the bacteriocin-producing strains and indicator strains was observed . Both Challis and 36658 bacteriocin activities decreased markedly either when the bacteriocins were heated at 50 C for 30 min or with the addition of a protein synthesis inhibitor, but showed different sensitivities to trypsin, papain and lipase . The bacteriocins were of at least protein nature and their molecular weight was roughly estimated as 100,000 daltons by membrane filtration experiments . The 36658 bacteriocin is a new type of streptocin previously not reported . The possible absence of bacteriophage or phage-like particles in the preparations is discussed.

Arch Oral Biol, 1982, 27(2), 151 - 7
The production of bacteriocin-like substances by the oral bacterium Streptococcus salivarius; Dempster RP et al.; Inhibitory substances produced by six strains of Streptococcus salivarius were isolated and partially characterized . The six prototype producer strains were selected initially on the basis of their differing spectra of inhibitory activity when tested against a set of nine standard indicator strains . Optimal production conditions were defined for each producer strain and inhibitor-containing extracts were obtained for characterization studies . All of the inhibitors appeared to be proteinaceous substances of molecular weight greater than 3500 . When tested against a Streptococcus pyogenes indicator strain, one of the inhibitors was bactericidal, but the other five appeared to be bacteriostatic . Some differences between the inhibitors were observed with respect to heat and enzyme sensitivities.

Arch Oral Biol, 1982, 27(2), 113 - 6
Frequency of the bacterium Streptococcus mutans in the saliva of selected human populations; Togelius J et al.; Stimulated saliva was transported from the mouth to a selective substrate, MSB-agar, with a wooden spatula . School children, aged 7-15, military recruits, aged 19-21, and a group of refugees from Vietnam were investigated . 10-15 per cent, in one exceptional case 35 per cent of the sampled school children had no detectable Strep . mutans, whereas about 20 per cent had very high numbers . The recruits were slightly more infected, and the refugees heavily infected . High numbers of Strep . mutans in saliva indicate a high-caries risk.

Acta Odontol Scand, 1982, 40(1), 57 - 63
Influence of in vitro propagation on the adhesive qualities of Streptococcus mutans isolated from saliva; Orstavik J et al.; Streptococcus mutans from saliva of one test person were isolated on mitis/salivarius agar containing bacitracin and extra sucrose, and subcultured in vitro on trypticase soy broth with numerous transfers . Freshly isolated organisms and bacteria from selected subcultures were studied in adhesion tests using glass or dental zinc phosphate cement as substrate . Different bacterial isolates were used in separate experiments . Three different techniques were used; two based on radioactivity assays of adhering 3H-thymidine-labelled bacteria, and one based on visual counting . With all three techniques freshly isolated S . mutans adhered in significant numbers . It was consistently found that their ability to adhere decreased with the number of in vitro transfers . The results support the view that growth condition is an important factor governing the adhesive properties of oral bacteria.

Appl Environ Microbiol, 1982 Jan, 43(1), 257 - 60
Teflon chemostat for studies of trace metal metabolism in Streptococcus mutans and other bacteria; Strachan RC et al.; A teflon chemostat constructed for studies of microbial trace metal metabolism is described . The utility of this continuous culture system was demonstrated with Streptococcus mutans, in which iron and manganese stimulated growth in ranges of 0.18 to 0.45 and 18 to 54 microM, respectively . This device should facilitate studies of the effect of trace metals on a variety of physiological functions.

Am J Clin Pathol, 1982 Jan, 77(1), 72 - 7
Fluorescent antibody technic used for identification and typing of Streptococcus pneumoniae; Wicher K et al.; A fluorescent antibody technic (FAT) has been developed for identification and typing of Streptococcus pneumoniae . The technic was first compared with the Neufeld test (NT) using polyvalent antiserum and isolates identified as S . pneumoniae . Of 197 isolates, 191 (97%) were positive by both technic, and six strains (3%) were negative by both methods . Both tests were also used for determination of pneumococcal types agreed in 23 of 25 tests (92%) but the Neufeld test gave false results in 2 of 25 determinations (8%) . The polyvalent antiserum was used to examine by FAT direct films obtained from various specimens and the results were compared with Gram stain and cultures . Of 198 direct films in which gram-positive cocci resembling pneumococci were found, 154 were positive by FAT and 130 were positive by culture . FAT appears to be more reliable than Gram stain or culture . During a four-year period, isolated strains of pneumococci were typed by FAT and the results compared . A slight change in the incidence of the pneumococcal types was observed . Although the Neufeld test is simpler, FAT is easier to read and is a more reliable method if identifying pneumococci, especially in body fluids where the number of microorganisms might be limited . Also, FAT is a more reliable procedure in typing strains.

Immunol Lett, 1982, 5(6), 317 - 22
Mitogenicity of streptococcal extracellular products and antagonism with concanavalin A; Cavaillon JM et al.; Extracellular products have been purified from group A Streptococcus pyogenes culture supernatant fluids and their mitogenicities have been tested on rabbit and mouse lymphocytes . Two fractions were mitogenic: the kappa-fraction (pI = 4.8, mol . wt . = 30,000), a protein which was identified as the erythrogenic toxin, and the epsilon-fraction (pI = 10.3, mol . wt . = 17,000) a glycoprotein, both stimulated rabbit and CBA mouse spleen cells . The stimulation of rabbit thymocytes was weak unless macrophages or 2-mercaptoethanol were added . A third product, the gamma-fraction (a protein, pI = 4.2, mol . wt . = 72,000) was very weakly mitogenic and had the capacity to reduce the stimulation induced by a T-cell mitogen, such as Con A, but not by a B-cell mitogen such as Nocardia.

J Clin Immunol, 1982 Jan, 2(1), 39 - 45
Recurrent pyogenic infections in individuals with absence of the second component of complement; Sampson HA et al.; While deficiency of the terminal components of complement (C3-C8) has classically been associated with recurrent pyogenic infections, it has become apparent that C2 deficiency is also associated with recurrent infections in some individuals . The patient presented here had two major pyogenic infections prior to 1 year of age and was found to lack the second component of complement . Studies of alternative complement pathway and humoral and cellular immunity were found to be within normal limits . Family studies suggest an autosomal codominant pattern of inheritance for the C2 defect, which also corresponded to the inheritance of the HLA A10 B18 haplotype . A review of the literature revealed nine other cases of C2-deficient patients with well-documented recurrent infections . In these patients, Streptococcus pneumoniae is the organism most frequently implicated in infectious processes, whether or not their alternative complement pathway is intact.

Arch Oral Biol, 1982, 27(12), 1003 - 6
Differences in PH fall, phosphorus content and dissolution of enamel in layers of the oral bacterium Streptococcus mutans deposited in vitro on bovine enamel granules with and without fluoride varnish; Luoma H et al.; Bovine enamel granules were treated with fluoride varnish for 24 h . Samples of F-treated and untreated control enamel were covered with maleic-acid-NaOH buffer (pH 5.8) previously saturated with enamel salts and containing a standard amount of fresh Strep . mutans cells plus KCl and MgCl2 (6 and 1 mM, respectively) . The cells were centrifuged on the enamel; sucrose was added to the test and to control systems with fluoridated and non-fluoridated enamel; distilled water was added to non-fermenting controls . After incubation at 37 degrees C for intervals up to 2 h, fluoridation of the enamel had reduced the drop in pH of Strep . mutans plaque by 0.7 pH unit and reduced the release of Ca and P from enamel . Bacterial P levels were also significantly reduced in plaque in contact with fluoridated enamel . Magnesium concentrations outside the enamel were not altered.

J Reprod Fertil Suppl, 1982, 32, 169 - 74
Effect of ovarian hormones on the phagocytic response of ovariectomized mares; Ganjam VK et al.; The reaction between ovarian hormones and experimental uterine infection (Streptococcus zooepidemicus) was investigated in 3 groups, each containing 6 ovariectomized mares . Group 1 served as controls ('anoestrus'), Group 2 mares were injected with oestrogen ('oestrus') and Group 3 with progesterone ('dioestrus') over a period of 5 weeks . All mares received an intrauterine inoculation of the bacteria 1 week after the start of hormonal treatment, and the results of the challenge were examined by endometrial biopsy and swabs once weekly . At the end of Week 1 no bacteria were recovered from the mares in Group 2 . Group 1 mares were free of bacteria at the end of Week 2 but all Group 3 mares remained infected at least for the total period examined . Streptococcal phagocytosis was quantitated by chemiluminescence . Before the challenge-inoculation, phagocytosis was not significantly different in the 3 groups of mares . Bacterial cultures were negative for all three groups . However, within 48 h after infection, there was a significant increase (P less than 0.01) in phagocytosis in Group 2 and a significant suppression (P less than 0.05) in Group 3 mares . Patterns of streptococcal clearance from the uterus closely paralleled the changes in the magnitude of chemiluminescence response . The results suggest that ovarian hormonal status can modulate the phagocytic response in episodes of streptococcal-induced endometritus in mares.

Arch Oral Biol, 1982, 27(11), 981 - 6
Effect of extracellular polysaccharides on diffusion of NaF and {14C}-sucrose in human dental plaque and in sediments of the bacterium Streptococcus sanguis 804 (NCTC 10904); McNee SG et al.; It has been postulated that extracellular polysaccharides form a barrier to diffusion in dental plaque . Diffusion coefficients, D, were measured for NaF and {14C}-sucrose in glucan-free and glucan-containing sediments of Strep . sanguis 804 at 37 degrees C . There was a tendency for NaF and {14C}-sucrose to diffuse faster as the carbohydrate concentration in the sediments increased . NaF diffused only 38 per cent more slowly in cell-free glucan sediment than in water, suggesting that glucan per se does not form a barrier to diffusion . The diffusion coefficient for NaF was positively correlated with carbohydrate concentration in individual plaque samples from 15 subjects and incubation of 3 plaque samples with sucrose resulted in both an increase in carbohydrate concentration in the plaque and an increase in D for NaF . Thus the presence of extracellular polysaccharides in plaque leads to slightly faster rates of diffusion . Nevertheless, the total time for diffusion through plaque may be increased if the presence of extracellular polysaccharides results in thicker layers of plaque.

Arch Oral Biol, 1982, 27(10), 861 - 8
Effect of caries preventive measures in children highly infected with the bacterium Streptococcus mutans; Zickert I et al.; The number of Strep . mutans in saliva samples was examined in 101 13-14-year-old children, 53 in a control and 48 in the test group . All in the test group with 2.5 X 10(5) Strep . mutans per ml saliva were treated with 1 per cent chlorhexidine gel, once a day, for 14 days when the number of Strep . mutans was greatly reduced . Saliva samples were then examined in the test group every 4th month and all children with Strep . mutans levels above 2.5 X 10(5) were treated . A few selected children had fissure sealants applied to the occlusal surfaces . After 3 years, the mean number of new carious lesions was 9.6 in the control group and 4.2 in the test group . In the children with 10(6) Strep . mutans at the start of the study, the corresponding figures were 20.8 compared with 3.9 . Thus a reduction in caries activity can be achieved by controlled antimicrobial treatment.

Arch Oral Biol, 1982, 27(10), 817 - 22
Colonization and cariogenic potential in hamsters of the bacterium Streptococcus sanguis isolated from human dental plaque; Westergren G et al.; Strains of Strep . sanguis, freshly isolated from human dental plaque, were successfully implanted into albino hamsters . Transmission of the organisms from infected to uninfected animals occurred naturally . The transfer was as effective between unrelated hamsters as between dams and their offspring . Three of the strains tested did not cause caries in hamsters . Laboratory strains of Strep . sanguis did not colonize the hamsters . Two morphological variants of Strep . sanguis with different abilities to adhere to whale dentine in vitro, could infect hamsters; the more adhering phenotype was detected earlier and more frequently.

Arch Oral Biol, 1982, 27(10), 809 - 16
Antibacterial action of condensed phosphates on the bacterium Streptococcus mutans and experimental caries in the hamster; Shibata H et al.; Condensed phosphates (CP: Na salts of pyro-, tripoly-, tetrapoly-, pentapoly-, hexameta- and ultra-; K salts of pyro- and poly-) used as food additives depressed the growth of seven strains of Streptococcus mutans (serotype a-g) as assessed by disc diffusion methods . Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of CP on growth of strain K1-R (g) in a chemically defined medium were measured turbidimetrically . Commercial grade CP (CP used) had the same growth inhibitory effects as purified linear type CP and they were superior to the cyclic type CP . The MIC of CP for Strep . mutans appeared to be related to their chelating capacity . As the growth inhibition by CP was reversed by the addition of divalent metal ions (Ca2+, Mg2+ or Mn2+), the chelating capacity of CP was apparently responsible for their antibacterial action . The antibacterial action of CP seemed largely bacteriostatic . Condensed phosphates depressed lactate production from glucose and sucrose by the cells of strain K1-R . A similar inhibition was produced by the supernatant of heated human saliva . Condensed phosphates depressed insoluble glucan production from sucrose by the cells of strain K1-R . The inhibition of sugar metabolism may be due to the interference of sugar transport into Strep . mutans induced by the chelation effects of CP . Hamsters were inoculated orally with strain K1-R and reared on the high-sucrose diet No . 2000 supplemented with 2 per cent (w/w) CP for 60 days . Dietary supplements of CP were associated with reduced caries activity (p less than 0.01) and plaque formation (p less than 0.05) . The antibacterial actions of CP could be responsible for these caries-inhibitory effects.

Arch Oral Biol, 1982, 27(8), 697 - 700
The distribution of the cariogenic bacterium Streptococcus mutans in the gastrointestinal tract of monkeys (Macaca fascicularis); Walker J et al.; The success of oral vaccines based on Strep . mutans might be influenced by its presence in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract . Enumeration of Strep . mutans at various sites of the GI tract of sucrose-fed monkeys revealed a localized distribution . High numbers of Strep . mutans were recovered from only the dental plaque, caecum and the large intestine . Where Strep . mutans was not detectable in the dental plaque it could not be isolated from regions of the GI tract sampled . The absence of Strep . mutans from the small intestine suggests that the disparate results obtained from experiments in which this organism was used to immunize monkeys orally, are not attributable to the prior colonization of such an immunologically important region.

Arch Oral Biol, 1982, 27(8), 693 - 5
Effects of two potential sucrose-substitute sweetening agents on deposition of an oral streptococcus on glass in the presence of sucrose; Verran J et al.; The effects of trichlorogalacto-sucrose (TGS) and xylitol upon deposition by sedimentation of Streptococcus mutans NCTC 10832 were measured in terms of percentage coverage and mean clump size, using computerized image-analysis . The following test solutions were used: sucrose, sucrose plus xylitol, sucrose plus TGS, xylitol, TGS, and saline alone . Xylitol and TGS both significantly reduced the mean clump size of sucrose-incubated cells; TGS also significantly reduced percentage coverage by cells incubated with sucrose . Xylitol and TGS differed significantly from one another regarding their effects upon both percentage coverage and mean clump size of cells incubated in sucrose solution . It was postulated that TGS and xylitol might affect sucrose-associated aggregation of Strep . mutans.

Acta Odontol Scand, 1982, 40(4), 193 - 6
Effect of sucrose rinses on bacterial colonization on amalgam and composite; Skjorland KK et al.; The effect of sucrose rinses on the bacteriology of early plaque on enamel, amalgam and composite was investigated . Three test persons rinsed with a 15% sucrose solution every hour for 12 h prior to the insertion of the test materials . Round disks of amalgam and composite were carried on the buccal surfaces of the upper molars for 2 1/2 h . Sucrose rinses were found to have an effect both on plaque composition and on the amount of plaque on composite, but not no enamel or on amalgam . A small increase in the number of Streptococcus mutans as well as a general increase in the number of bacteria were found.

Arch Oral Biol, 1982, 27(6), 513 - 6
Competitive properties of lactate dehydrogenase mutants of the oral bacterium Streptococcus mutans in the rat; Johnson KP et al.; Prior establishment of a lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)-deficient mutant of Streptococcus mutans in the mouths of rats caused a 10-10,000-fold increase in the minimal infectious dose for persistent colonization by wild-type strains of this organism . The finding that LDH-deficient mutants can render their host relatively resistant to infection by decay-causing strains of Strep . mutans while being much less pathogenic themselves, lends support to their prospective usefulness as effector strains in the replacement therapy of dental caries.

Arch Oral Biol, 1982, 27(6), 435 - 41
Influence of dietary disaccharides on mouth microorganisms and experimental dental caries in rats; Schemmel RA et al.; Osborne-Mendel rats were inoculated with Streptococcus mutans at weaning, divided into 5 groups and fed cariogenic diets containing 56 per cent sugar either as sucrose, maltose, lactose or combinations of sucrose/maltose and sucrose/lactose . The number of Strep . mutans on molar teeth of rats fed the diet high in maltose was much lower than for any other group of rats (p less than 0.01) . Although Strep . mutans levels were low for rats fed maltose, the incidence of carious lesions was similar to rats fed sucrose when the textures of the two sugars were similar . Although maltose does not support plaque formation, it is a fermentable carbohydrate which can provide, if microorganisms are present, an environment conducive to dental decay . The incidence of carious lesions was highest among rats fed lactose.

Arch Oral Biol, 1982, 27(4), 347 - 54
Lysozyme binding by a polyglycerol phosphate polymer of the oral bacterium Streptococcus mutans BHT; Iacono VJ et al.; The antibacterial properties of lysozyme for Streptococcus mutans BHT may be a function of its binding to cell components other than to peptidoglycan . Inhibitors of muramidase activity, including histamine and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, only partially blocked the bacteriostatic effects on this strain . Greater than 20 mM histamine alone inhibited growth suggesting a bacteriostatic potential . An autoclaved saline extract was then prepared from stationary phase cultures in a chemically-defined medium . As little as 31.25 micrograms of the extract significantly blocked the effect of 50 micrograms lysozyme and complete enzyme inhibition was achieved with 62.5 micrograms . The extract was fractionated and location of potential binding components determined by a precipitin method consisting of diffusing the samples into 1.2 per cent agarose containing lysozyme . Binding components eluted in the first peak of a Sephacryl S-300 column, bound to DEAE-cellulose, but desorbed with gradient elution (0.1-1.0 M tris-HCl buffer, pH 8.0) . The eluted material was then applied to an affinity column containing purified lysozyme coupled to epoxy-activated Sepharose 6B . Non-absorbed anionic material precipitated only with protamine . Lysozyme-binding fractions eluted in a sharp peak with 1.0 M tris-HCl buffer (pH 8.0), did not bind wheat-germ agglutinin, contained less than 50 micrograms protein, 95 micrograms sugar, 66.7 micrograms phosphorus, less than 0.25 mequiv lipid and no detectable nucleic acids . The peak material reacted with antiserum directed against polyglycerol phosphate, indicating that it contained acylated or, possibly, deacylated lipoteichoic acid . The findings suggest that the antibacterial properties of lysozyme for Strep . mutans BHT may, in part, be modified (or possibly regulated) by binding to molecules such as lipoteichoic acid.

Arch Oral Biol, 1982, 27(3), 279 - 81
beta-haemolysis and pigment production by the oral bacterium Streptococcus mutans; Woltjes J et al.; The prevalence of beta-haemolysis and yellow pigmentation among 89 isolates of Streptococcus mutans from human dental plaque and 59 Strep . mutans isolates from positive cultures of human dental root canals were investigated . beta-Haemolytic strains were more frequent among the root-canal isolates (25.4 per cent) than among the dental plaque isolates (12.4 per cent) . The distribution of pigment production among beta-haemolytic strains (22 pigmented strains out of 26 strains) and among non-haemolytic strains (5 pigmented strains out of 122 strains) showed a relationship between haemolysin and pigment production . beta-Haemolytic, pigmented strains (biotype c and e and 35-39 per cent guanine plus cytosine) were common in plaque and were the dominant type of Strep . mutans in some plaques . As beta-haemolysis by Strep . mutans was only demonstrated after strict anaerobic growth, whereas pigment production was demonstrated after growth under less anaerobic conditions (candle jar) on sucrose-containing agar plates, the observation of pigment may facilitate a presumptive identification of beta-haemolytic strains of Strep . mutans.

Mol Gen Genet, 1982, 185(1), 21 - 9
A competence specific inducible protein promotes in vivo recombination in Streptococcus sanguis; Raina JL et al.; We describe the first example of a recombination-specific protein induced during the development of competence for transformation in Streptococcus sanguis . Elaborated in response to stimulation by competence-protein, the 51,000 Molecular Weight (MW) polypeptide is one of at least 10 new polypeptides transiently induced during the competence phase . Biochemical and genetic analyses of the parental, cipA+ (competence specific inducible polypeptide A), and mutant, cipA, strains have shown that the 51,000 MW polypeptide has two roles: its low level constitutive synthesis is required for repair of damage to DNA due to UV light and methylmethane sulfonate; its induced synthesis (3--6 x 10(4) copies/cell) during the competence phase is essential for promoting recombination between donor single-standard DNA and the recipient chromosome . Also, ccc plasmid donor DNA transformation, which occurs as a decreasing probability of the increasing donor plasmid MW, requires the inducible function specified by the 51,000 MW polypeptide . The MW independent low level transformation with ccc plasmids, the inheritance of plasmids by conjugation, and the stable maintenance of plasmids introduced by transformation and conjugation, respectively, are independent of the function specified by the 51,000 MW polypeptide.

Acta Odontol Scand, 1982, 40(1), 49 - 56
Preferential affinity of oral bacteria for homologous salivary films on dental materials; Orstavik J et al.; Freshly isolated strains of Streptococcus mutans from saliva of two test subjects were tested for adhesion to various dental gold alloys and one brand of luting cement . The materials were covered with pellicle derived from one or the other of the two subjects . In "crossover" experiments it was consistently found that S . mutans adhered in greater numbers to pellicles of homologous origin . This preference for the homologous pellicle appeared to vary among the materials tested as substrates; also, the total number of organisms adhering varied among the materials . Moreover, different isolates varied in their affinity for the materials and showed a varying degree of dependence on homologous pellicle for adherence . In vitro plaque formation of mixed oral flora on pellicle-coated dental casting gold alloy were also more abundant on homologous pellicles as compared with heterologous ones . The results support the view that biologically specific mechanisms contribute to the adhesion of bacteria to dental restorative materials, and to the build-up of a bacterial plaque on these materials.

Ann Med Interne (Paris), 1982, 133(8), 557 - 60
{Obstructive hypertrophic myocardiopathy and Osler's endocarditis}; Bourmayan C et al.; Four cases of bacterial endocarditis (BE) complicating hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) were observed between 1978 and 1980 . The causal organism was a streptococcus in all cases and the portal of entry, dental . The mitral regurgitation (MR) observed in HOCM as an epiphenomenon of the obstruction became autonomous in 2 patients as shown by phonocardiography with methoxamine . In one case, the MR became severe and justified mitral valve replacement; at surgery, the chordal rupture suspected on echocardiography was confirmed . Antibiotic therapy was effective on the infectious process in all cases . However, 2 of the 4 patients died, one of thrombosis of the mitral prosthesis on the 15th postoperative day, and the other of a cerebrovascular accident . None of the patients had a detectable aortic or septal infectious lesion . Eight of 27 reported cases (30 p 100) of HOCM complicated by BE were operated; 10 (37 p . 100) died as a result of the endocarditis . These cases underline the incidence of BE in HOCM (5 p . 100) its gravity and the necessity for systematic antibiotic prophylaxis, especially before dental treatment.

Boll Ist Sieroter Milan, 1982, 61(6), 460 - 72
{Bacteremia and specific antibody response . IgG and IgM specificity in the evaluation of positivity in blood cultures}; Airo R et al.; Specific serum IgG and IgM directed against blood culture isolated bacteria have been determined in patients with positive blood culture by the indirect immunofluorescence and passive hemagglutination methods in order to distinguish the true positive blood cultures due to bacteremia from those due to contamination . 45 (16%) out of 280 blood cultures examined during the period 1/1/1980-30/1/1981 gave positive isolations: 25 cases (55.5%) were due to gram-negative bacteria and the remaining 20 cases (44.5) to gram-positive bacteria: among these there were 9 cases (20% of the total positive blood cultures) with isolation of micrococci . No positive blood culture for anaerobic bacteria were observed during that time interval . 96% of patients from whose blood cultures gram-negative bacteria had been isolated showed high titres of serum specific antibodies with both the indirect immunofluorescence and the passive hemagglutination methods . Only 40% of the cases whose blood cultures gave isolation of gram-positive bacteria showed high titres of serum specific IgG . The remaining 60% that did not show presence of serum specific antibodies included 9 cases of positive blood culture for micrococci (well known as contaminants) and 2 cases for streptococcus (in two of these there had been a mixed flora isolation) . Specific IgM antibodies at significant level were also present in 76% of patients with positive blood culture for gram-negative bacteria and in 40% of patients with positive blood culture for gram-positive bacteria . All patients whose cultures gave isolation of micrococci showed absence of specific IgM . The observed good correspondence between isolation of contaminant bacteria on one hand and the absence of serum specific antibodies on the other, and vice versa between isolation of pathogenic bacteria (either obligate or opportunistic) an one hand and the presence of high level of specific antibodies on the other suggests that the search of specific immune response in patients with positive blood culture might constitute a good criterion (in addition to the classical criteria) for distinguishing true positive blood cultures from contaminated blood cultures.

Vet Med Nauki, 1982, 19(10), 37 - 44
{Bacteriological and morphological findings in aborted cattle fetuses}; Buchvarova Ia et al.; Bacteriologic investigations were carried out on a total of 142 fetuses aborted by cows . C . pyogenes, V . fetus, Streptococcus pyogenes animalis (Sofia), M . bovigenitalium, A . laidlawii, E . coli, and B . subtilis were isolated from 34 fetuses (24 per cent) . Besides, single of these species were found in 80 per cent of the positive cases, and a mixed infection--in 20 per cent . The morphologic changes in all 34 fetuses that were positive were seen chiefly in the lungs and liver . Such lesions, however, were not instrumental in differentiating the etiologic agent.

Immunol Lett, 1982, 5(6), 323 - 6
Induction of interferon by streptococcus pyogenes extracellular products; Cavaillon JM et al.; Lymphocyte-activating streptococcal exoproteins, which were previously characterized, have been tested for their capacity to induce interferon in vitro . Two out of the 3 different streptococcal fractions, studied on mice splenocytes, were shown to elicit the production of a significant amount of interferon . A large proportion of the interferon detected in the supernatants from mice activated spleen cells was acid-labile interferon . The highest level of interferon titer was obtained with the streptococcal fraction identified as the erythrogenic toxin.

Biol Neonate, 1982, 42(3-4), 166 - 73
Quantitative bacteriological analysis of amniotic fluid; Courcol RJ et al.; Quantitative bacteriological analysis of amniotic fluid (AF) was performed on 60 fluid samples collected by catheter from 50 selected labor patients regarded as liable to infection . AF cultures were positive in 52 cases . The bacterial colony counts ranged from less than 10(2) colony-forming units (CFU) per milliliter to 10(9) CFU/ml . Pathogenic bacteria in neonates such as group B Streptococcus, Escherichia coli, and Listeria monocytogenes were encountered with numerations equal to or greater than 10(7) CFU/ml in groups with clinical findings . An excellent correlation was noted between bacterial counts in AF and clinical data (p less than 0.00006) . The results confirm that the quantitative bacteria analysis of the AF is a useful tool for evaluation of an infection risk for neonates.

Mikrobiologiia, 1982 Jan-Feb, 51(1), 85 - 9
{Effect of regulators on bacterial autolysis}; Kislukhina OV et al.; The aim of this work was to study the effect of autolysis regulators (the fraction of microbial teichoic acids) on the rate of autolysis and the activity of bacterial extracellular lytic enzymes . The regulators of autolysis isolated from 23 cultures belonging to 10 microbial species regulated the rate of autolysis in Bacillus, E . coli and Streptococcus lactis . The regulators either activated or inhibited autolysis depending on the substrate (of a bacterium to be subjected to autolysis) . The quantitative dependence of the autolysis rate on the regulator concentration was specific for each pair 'regulator--substrate' . The regulatory properties of the fraction of teichoic acids varied depending on the age of a culture from which they had been isolated . The regulators of autolysis, with an exception of the preparation from E . coli, inhibited the activity of B . subtilis extracellular lytic enzymes in the course of their action on E . coli cells . The possibility for using the regulators of autolysis in microbiological processes is discussed.

Arch Oral Biol, 1982, 27(12), 1033 - 7
Effect of linolenyl alcohol on the in-vitro growth of the oral bacterium Streptococcus mutans; Crout RJ et al.; The effect of primary aliphatic alcohols of varying chain length and degree of unsaturation on bacterial growth was assessed, using Strep . mutans BHT as the main test organism . Unsaturated alcohols, linoleyl and linolenyl, effectively inhibited bacterial growth . Of the saturated alcohols, only lauryl and myristyl alcohols inhibited the growth of Strep . mutans BHT, but at concentrations much higher than those required for the unsaturated alcohols . All Gram-positive organisms tested were sensitive to linolenyl alcohol . Gram-negative bacteria did not exhibit the sensitivity . Linoleic and linolenic acid were inactive as antibacterial agents at the same concentration as the related alcohol . Repeated exposure of Strep . mutans BHT to linolenyl alcohol produced no change in the sensitivity of the organism to the alcohol . Significant amounts of linolenyl alcohol were found in bacteria grown in the presence of this lipid for 24 h but linolenic acid was not detected . Thus the primary polyunsaturated aliphatic alcohols, particularly linolenyl alcohol, could be effective antibacterial agents for the prevention of dental caries and periodontal disease.

Med Cutan Ibero Lat Am, 1982, 10(4), 225 - 30
{Candidiasis in children with diaper rash . Study of 140 cases}; Lopez Martinez R et al.; The frequency of genito-crural candidiasis in infants presenting diaper rash, as well as the possible influence of bacterial flora in this region on the pathogenicity of Candida was studied . Skin scraping were made with sterile swabs and processed by bacteriological and mycological methods in 140 children whose ages ranged between 0 and 20 months . The most commonly found microbiological flora were Candida spp (65.7%), non hemolytic Streptococcus (18.5%), Staphylococus epidermidis (19.2%); beta hemolytic Streptococcus (12.8%) and alfa-hemolytic Streptococcus (9.2%) . Of the 140 cases, 76 (54.3%) showed candidiasis associated with diaper rash and 16 (11.4%) had Candida as normal flora . C . albicans was most frequently found (66.3%) followed by C . tropicalis (19.6%) . Candidiasis was more frequent in those infants that had no other associated of pathogenic flora . Factors significantly influencing the increase in the frequency of candidiasis were: A) Evolution time, which was directly proportional; B) Use of cotton diapers covered with plastic pants; C) Feeding with cow's as opposed to maternal milk; and D) Malnutrition associated with poor hygiene.

J Reprod Fertil Suppl, 1982, 32, 143 - 9
Studies on the composition and antibacterial activity of uterine fluid from mares; Blue MG et al.; Forty uterine fluid samples were obtained during oestrus and dioestrus of successive cycles from 4 mares classified as resistant to bacterial infection of the uterus . The flushings were assayed for peroxidase activity and ability to influence phagocytosis by polymorphonuclear neutrophils . Uterine fluid volumes and protein concentrations and serum oestrogen values were similar during oestrus and dioestrus . Serum progesterone concentrations were depressed during oestrus . Equine neutrophils adherent to glass slides were exposed to a genital strain of Streptococcus zooepidemicus suspended in saline . Neutrophil phagocytosis was significantly higher when cells were incubated with oestrous uterine fluid than with dioestrous fluid . The addition of 5% serum to the incubation medium increased the rates of in-vitro phagocytosis, but these did not differ between oestrus and dioestrus . Rates of phagocytosis with and without serum were not correlated with serum oestrogens or progesterone, or with protein content of uterine fluid . Peroxidase activity of uterine fluid in the absence of infection was negligible throughout the oestrous cycle . There were no significant correlations between peroxidase levels and serum oestrogens or progesterone, but the correlation between peroxidase and protein concentration of uterine fluid was significant (r = 0 X 87) . Bacterial or fungal infections led to increased protein content of uterine fluid, and usually marked increases in peroxidase, both probably derived from the visibly obvious populations of leucocytes.

Scand J Infect Dis, 1982, 14(4), 305 - 8
Cerebritis due to group B streptococcus; Kim KS et al.; A premature infant who died of early-onset group B streptococcal meningitis was found to have cerebritis with direct bacterial infection of the basal ganglia . Although the organism was sensitive to penicillin by in vitro testing, it was not eradicated from the cerebrospinal fluid after 48 h of antibiotic treatment . These findings illustrate that suppurative extension with cerebritis of the basal ganglia as a complication of group B streptococcal meningitis may be one of the factors responsible for treatment failure.

Arch Oral Biol, 1982, 27(10), 869 - 73
Factors affecting the in-vitro adherence of the fungal oral pathogen Candida albicans to epithelial cells of human origin; Samaranayake LP et al.; An in-vitro technique was used to investigate the effects of oral commensal bacteria, serum, saliva, germ-tube formation and pH on the adherence of two strains of C . albicans to HeLa cells . Streptococcus salivarius and Streptococcus mitior reduced candidal adhesion whereas Streptococcus mutans had no significant effect . A mixed salivary pellicle on HeLa cells significantly enhanced candidal adhesion and a serum layer had no effect . Yeasts pre-incubated in whole saliva for 3 h showed significantly greater adhesion to HeLa and human embryonic kidney epithelial cells than yeasts in phosphate-buffered saline . The adherence of hyphal phase candida was significantly greater than in the blastospore phase . Adhesion varied with the pH of the test medium, maximal adherence was at pH 3 with less under neutral pH conditions . The factors involved in the adhesion of C . albicans to epithelial surfaces are complex and may play a role in the aetiopathology of human mucosal candidoses.

Arch Oral Biol, 1982, 27(10), 853 - 9
Nephelometric assay for the immunoglobulin A1-protease produced by the oral bacterium Streptococcus sanguis; Lindler LE et al.; Streptococcus sanguis, an initiator of human dental plaque, produces an endopeptidase which cleaves immunoglobulin A1 (IgA1) at the hinge region . A rapid nephelometric assay was developed for the quantitation of IgA1-specific protease activity . The protease was produced in dialysis cultures which yielded cell-free fluids having 14 times the specific activity of conventional cultures . Assay was based on the difference in detectable IgA1 concentrations at the start and termination of the reaction; IgA1 concentrations were determined by rate of complex formation with IgA-specific antibody . The rates of IgA1 cleavage were linear during incubations up to 3 h if enzyme preparations were sufficiently diluted . The assay resolution was less than that achieved with sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, but 1 h incubation of protease-IgA1 reaction mixtures was adequate for measurement . The pH optimum for the reaction was 7.0 and the calculated Km was 5.6 X 10(-5)M IgA1 . The optimal incubation temperature was in the range of 37-40 degrees C; the enzyme lost all activity at 55 degrees C.

Microbios, 1982, 35(139), 17 - 20
Detection of bacteraemia in children seen in the outpatient department: a comparison of conventional blood culture methods and a Castaneda blood culture; Brook I et al.; Modified Castaneda blood culture bottles were used to diagnose bacteraemia in children attending the out patient clinic . Bacterial growth was detected in twelve out of 147 patients (8%), in both the routine and Castaneda blood culture bottles . Streptococcus pneumoniae was recovered in nine patients (6%), and H . influenzae in three patients (2%) . The average length of time required to identify the organisms utilizing the routine blood culture bottles was 2 days (range 1 to 4 days), while the average time utilizing Castaneda bottles was 3.5 days (range 1 to 6 days) . Castaneda blood bottles were found in this work to be effective in the detection of bacteraemia in children, and because of their simplicity they may serve for the detection of bacteraemia by physicians in general practice.

Acta Odontol Scand, 1982, 40(5), 283 - 7
Electron immunoperoxidase stainings in sections of unfixed pure cultures of Streptococcus mutans; Berthold P et al.; Unfixed as well as glutaraldehyde-fixed pelleted cells from pure cultures of Streptococcus mutans subspecies sobrinus (B13) were embedded in glycolmethacrylate . Ultrathin were sections immunoperoxidase labelled with rabbit anti-S . mutans sobrinus gamma-globulin . It was found that unfixed specimens became labelled as precisely and as distinctly as did the fixed specimens . All controls were negative.

Microbios, 1982, 33(133-34), 169 - 80
Glycoprotein inhibitors and iodophilic polysaccharide storage in group A Streptococcus pyogenes; McFarland CR et al.; Inhibitors of glycoprotein synthesis in eucaryotic cells also inhibited iodophilic polysaccharide (IPS) storage in group A streptococcus pyogenes . Addition of bacitracin or amphomycin, known inhibitors of polyisoprenol phosphate metabolism or lipid-linked oligosaccharide synthesis, indicated that a key intermediate must be synthesized before IPS storage could be detected . Based on inhibitor action and energy requirements the intermediate was most likely an undecaprenol pyrophosphoryl maltosaccharide . Biosynthesis of the maltosaccharide had an ATP requirement as shown by arsenate action but IPS synthesis via amylomaltase was energy independent if the lipid-linked saccharides were preformed . Maltosaccharide acceptor site blockade with 2-deoxy-d-glucose immediately inhibited IPS storage, which demonstrated the need of acceptor glucose residues for transglycosylation activity of amylomaltase . Tunicamycin failed to inhibit IPS synthesis although it was added in lethal concentrations.

Infect Immun, 1982 Jan, 35(1), 138 - 42
Preemption of Streptococcus mutans 10449S colonization by its mutant 805; Tanzer JM et al.; Oral infection of rats with Streptococcus mutans mutant 805 was used to prevent the establishment of its highly virulent wild-type progenitor NCTC 10449S . The dose of wild-type cells required to colonize 100% of the specific pathogen-free Osborne-Mendel rats (21 to 43 days old) consuming caries test diet 2000 was greater than 4 x 10(5) but less than 4 x 10(6) cells . Therefore, the latter dose was used to challenge rats which had already been colonized by an oral dose of about 6 x 10(8) cells of mutant 805 . This prior infection by 805 either completely protected rats from subsequent colonization by wild-type cells or greatly delayed and diminished their emergence . Rats in which wild-type cells became established showed much lower percentages of wild-type cells in their total recoverable floras than did rats that were not first infected by the mutant . Large doses of mutant 805, however, did not displace wild-type cells from rats once it became established . There was no evidence of reversion of the mutant, which is defective in intracellular polysaccharide synthesis and hence is less virulent than wild-type cells . The data indicate that the S . mutans cell which first colonizes rats gains the strongest ecological position and is difficult to displace . Also, they suggest the possible prophylactic utility of infection by this mutant of S . mutans.

Mol Gen Genet, 1982, 187(2), 310 - 5
Sequence relationships between plasmids associated with conventional MLS resistance and zonal lincomycin resistance in Streptococcus pyogenes; Golubkov VI et al.; By using electron microscopy of self-annealed DNA and restriction enzyme analysis, we have compared the physical maps of two group A streptococcal plasmids associated with conventional MLS resistance (pEL1; 20 Md) and zonal lincomycin resistance (pSM10419; 15 Md) . Of their monomeric molecules, about 40% and 60%, respectively, are occupied by identical non-tandem inverted repeats containing sequences specifying putative replication functions . Sequence homology also exists between their resistance determinants which are located in unique DNA . Moreover, homology between additional regions of unknown function is so extensive and restriction fragment arrangement so similar that, formally, pSM10419 can be considered a deletion variant of pEL1 . The results suggest that MLS and zonal lincomycin resistance have the same biochemical basis (i.e . methylation of 23S ribosomal RNA) and differ only quantitatively in the inducible control systems.

Mol Gen Genet, 1982, 185(3), 502 - 5
Transformation of Streptococcus sanguis (Challis) by linear plasmid molecules; Malke H et al.; The streptococcal erythromycin resistance plasmid pSM9 was used to study the problem of how the transforming activity of mixtures of two unique linear products of restriction enzyme digestion depends on the distance between the cleavage sites . In transformation of the Challis strain of S . sanguis, the transforming activity of mixed digests increased with increasing relative distances (x) between the restriction sites, where 0 less than or equal to X less than or equal to 0.5 . To explain the experimental results, a mathematical model was proposed according to which the overall probability (p) of transformation resulting in a functional replicon is the product of the partial probabilities of initial single-strand pairing, circularization, and stability of the paired intermediate, all of which were assumed to depend on x . A linear relationship found between transformation frequency and p was taken to support the model . Transformation of Challis by mixtures of two linearized plasmid molecules with regions of internal nonhomology resulting in paired intermediates with insertion or substitution loops allowed either donor molecule to contribute to the transformation yield.

J Membr Biol, 1982, 66(1), 63 - 75
Stoichiometry of proton movements coupled to ATP synthesis driven by a pH gradient in Streptococcus lactis; Maloney PC et al.; An electrochemical potential difference for H+ was established across the plasma membrane of the anaerobe Streptococcus lactis by addition of sulfuric acid to cells suspended in potassium phosphate at pH 8 along with valinomycin or permeant anions . Subsequent acidification of the cell was measured by the distribution of salicyclic acid . A comparison between cells treated or untreated with the inhibitor N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide was used to reveal that portion of net proton entry attributable to a direct coupling between H+ inflow and synthesis of ATP catalyzed by the reversible proton-translocating ATPase of this microorganism . When the imposed electrochemical proton gradient was below 180-190 mV, proton entry was at the rate expected of passive flux, for both control cells and cells treated with the ATPase inhibitor, However, at higher driving force acidification of control cells was markedly accelerated, coincident with ATP synthesis, while acidification of cells treated with the inhibitor continued at the rate characteristic of passive inflow . This observed threshold (180-190 mV) was identified as the reversal potential for this H+ "pump" . Parallel measurements showed that the free energy of hydrolysis for ATP in these washed cells was 8.4 kcal/mole (370mV) . The comparison between the reversal (threshold) potential and the free energy of hydrolysis for ATP indicates a stoichiometry of 2 H+/ATP for the coupling of proton movements to ATP formation in bacteria.

J Lab Clin Med, 1982 Jan, 99(1), 118 - 26
Cytotoxicity of the glycolipid region of streptococcal lipoteichoic acid for cultures of human heart cells; Simpson WA et al.; The ability of LTA of Streptococcus pyogenes to stimulate cell division or to kill tissue culture cells derived from human heart was investigated . Initial studies indicated that at low concentrations, ranging from 0.01 to 1.0 micrograms/ml, LTA stimulated cell division, whereas at higher concentrations, ranging from 10 to 1000 micrograms/ml, it killed the cells . Deacylated lipoteichoic acid, which lacked cell membrane binding activity, similarly stimulated or killed the heart cells depending on the concentration added to the tissue cultures . Fractionation of LTA after mild ammonia hydrolysis yielded a polyglycerophosphate and polar lipid fraction, both of which retained the glucose from the glycolipid moiety of the LTA molecule, and a neutral lipid fraction that was devoid of phosphorus or glucose . Toxic activity was present only in the fractions containing glucose . Oxidation of LTA or its deacylated derivative with sodium metaperiodate reduced the assayable glucose content without destroying the polyglycerophosphate backbone and resulted in a parallel loss of cytotoxicity, strongly suggesting that the glucose moieties of S . pyogenes LTA must be intact for the toxic activity against human heart cells to be expressed.

Arch Oral Biol, 1982, 27(12), 1039 - 45
Effect of specific antisera on adherence properties of the oral bacterium Streptococcus mutans; Douglas CW et al.; Antisera to Strep . mutans antigens B, glucosyltransferase (GTF) and a glucan-binding protein (GBP) reduced the build-up of this bacterium on glass surfaces in vitro; antiserum to antigen A and a control non-immune serum were without significant effect . The same sera were used to study the involvement of these antigens in cell-cell aggregation mediated by sucrose or water-soluble Dextran 2000 . Antiserum to GTF and antigen B inhibited sucrose-dependent cell-cell aggregation of the organism by approximately 50 per cent; none of the antisera tested had any effect upon dextran-mediated aggregation . In the presence of sucrose, GTF and GBP became cell associated while the distribution of antigens A and B between culture supernatant and cell surface remained unchanged . Cells incubated in the presence of Dextran 2000 showed no change in the distribution of any of these antigens . It is concluded that the aggregation of Strep . mutans induced by sucrose or by dextran involves different cellular components . Consideration of these in-vitro results in relation to data from experiments in which macaque monkeys were immunized with purified Strep . mutans antigens suggests that inhibition of sucrose-dependent adherence is not the basis for protection against dental caries.

Microbiol Immunol, 1982, 26(8), 677 - 88
Synthesis of glucan on the cell surface of Streptococcus mutans: chemical and scanning electron microscopic studies; Tsumori H et al.; The appearance and continuing growth of extracellular material on Streptococcus mutans HS6 cells in sucrose-containing Merthiolated buffer was observed in a scanning electron microscope and was found to be related to the glucan synthesis on the cell and to adherence of the cell to a smooth surface . Cells grown in broth completely deprived of sucrose by invertase (HS6-IV) had a characteristic, slightly rugged surface structure . On incubation of HS6-IV in the sucrose-containing buffer, a few small globular particles appeared on the surface and grew to an irregular shape (globular to fibrilar) after several hours . The increase in the total glucan content of the cells paralleled the growth of the globular material, to which ferritin-conjugated anti-dextran globulin was found to bind . On the cell surface of cells harvested from conventional broth, both small globular and irregular structures, which possibly formed from sucrose in the broth, existed originally and continued to grow during incubation, along with the material newly appearing on the surface . The accumulation of glucan on the cells resulted in their adherence to a glass surface . The inhibition of growth of the extracellular material on the cells by trypsin, dextranase or anti-glucosyltransferase corresponded to the decrease in glucan synthesis and the loss of adhering ability . These results indicated that the material growing on the cell surface was glucan synthesized by glucosyltransferases.

Chemotherapy, 1982, 28(4), 261 - 6
In vitro activity of moxalactam and cefoperazone against Streptococcus pneumoniae with differing susceptibilities to penicillin; Tarpay MM et al.; In vitro studies were performed to examine the potential usefulness of two new drugs, moxalactam and cefoperazone, for the treatment of infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae . 34 isolates of S . pneumoniae with differing susceptibilities to penicillin were examined by disk diffusion, agar and microbroth dilution methods . Isolates highly resistant to penicillin (MIC greater then 1 microgram/ml) were also resistant to moxalactam (MIC = 128 micrograms/ml) but were sensitive to cefoperazone (MIC = 2--4 micrograms/ml) . All isolates relatively resistant to penicillin (MIC 0.25--0.5 micrograms/ml) were sensitive to cefoperazone (MIC 0.25--1 microgram/ml) and had moxalactam MICs of 4--16 micrograms/ml for 10/12 isolates . The disk diffusion test was unreliable for detecting strain relatively resistant to moxalactam . These studies showed that cefoperazone is more active than moxalactam in vitro against S . pneumoniae regardless of the penicillin susceptibility of these bacteria.

Arch Oral Biol, 1982, 27(6), 455 - 61
A comparative study of extracellular glucanhydrolase and glucosyltransferase enzyme activities of five different serotypes of oral Streptococcus mutans; Felgenhauer B et al.; The activities of glucanhydrolase (EC 3.2.1.11) and glucosyltransferase (EC 2.4.1.5) in crude enzyme preparations of 44 strains of Streptococcus mutans of five serotypes were investigated . The strains were grown in a laboratory fermentor for 16 h and the enzymes were isolated by adding solid ammonium sulphate to the culture supernatant, resulting in a 12-fold enrichment of the enzymes . For glucanhydrolase, strains of serotype a showed the lowest total activity (0.768 U, approx . 120 ml), whereas strains of serotype d had an activity 39 times higher (29.9 U) . The total activities of strains of serotypes b, c and e were 5.56, 6.30 and 7.06 U, respectively . For glucosyltransferase, strains of type e showed the highest total activity (293 U), whereas differences between strains of the other four types were insignificant (type a: 158 U; type b: 175 U; type c: 191 U; type d: 225 U; approx . 120 ml) . A strong correlation was found between the glucanhydrolase activity and the percentage of insoluble glucan synthesized in vitro by the respective strains . This correlation was not substantially changed if the enzyme activities were expressed as specific activities, or as total activities against bacterial weight.

Acta Microbiol Pol, 1982, 31(3-4), 217 - 25
Construction of plasmid vectors for gene cloning in Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis; Bal J et al.; The construction and some properties of new hybrid plasmids which are able to replicate in both Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis are presented . A 5.5 Md hybrid plasmid pJP9 was constructed from pBR322 (Tc, Ap) and pUB110 (Nm) plasmids . pIM1 (7.0 Md) and pIM3 (7.7 Md) plasmids are its different erythromycin resistant derivatives . Tetracycline, ampicillin, neomycin and possibly erythromycin resistance genes are expressed in E . coli while neomycin and erythromycin resistance genes are expressed in B . subtilis . Insertional inactivation of only one gene is possible using the pJP9 plasmid as a vector in B . subtilis . However, insertional inactivation of at least two different genes can be achieved and monitored in E . coli and B . subtilis transformants in cloning experiments with PIM1 and pIM3 plasmids . Insertional inactivation of antibiotic resistance genes present in pJP9 plasmid was achieved by cloning of Streptococcus sanguis DNA fragments generated by appropriate restriction endonucleases . The pJP9 plasmid and its derivatives were found to be stable in both hosts cells.

Microbiol Immunol, 1982, 26(10), 933 - 40
Study of the mode of action of ribosomal vaccines from Klebsiella and Streptococcus pneumoniae and their ribonucleic and protein fractions using passive immunization; Robert D et al.; The vaccinating potency of ribosomal fractions of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Streptococcus pneumoniae as well as their ribosomal RNA and protein fractions has been studied with respect to their ability to induce cellular or humoral immunity . Experiments with transfer of serum or spleen cells from vaccinated animals have shown that anti-Klebsiella immunity is essentially cellular, while streptococcal immunity is exclusively humoral . Results have been discussed as a function of differential results for the various fractions under study.

Microbios, 1982, 34(136), 99 - 112
Effects of exogenous soluble dextrans on insoluble glucan synthesis by Streptococcus mutans glucosyltransferase; Sato S et al.; Production of water-insoluble glucan (ISG) from sucrose by cell-free Streptococcus mutans AHT glucosyltransferase (GTF) first rapidly increased, and then sharply declined, as the amounts of water-soluble Dextrans T20 approximately T500 present, were increased . The decline of ISG synthesis was accompanied by an increased synthesis of the water-soluble fraction (SG) . Prolonged incubation, however, induced enhanced synthesis of ISG even at higher dextran concentrations . The concentration of dextran required to stimulate or suppress ISG synthesis depended on the amounts of GTF used, but the extent of the stimulation was almost identical for the same GTF/dextran ratio . Thus, ISG synthesis is stimulated by the presence of dextrans at relatively low concentrations, but retarded at higher concentrations by being shifted to SG synthesis . ISG produced in the presence of dextrans contained higher proportions of alpha-1,6 glucosidic linkage and lower molecular size fractions, and possessed lower viscosity . These ISG products did not exhibit the coalescence of two component fibrils as observed with control ISG . These changes combined may contribute to the reduction of ISG-dependent adherence to glass of S . mutans cells by the presence of soluble dextrans, irrespective of their molecular size and concentration.

Microbios, 1982, 33(131), 7 - 14
Serotype specificity for some biochemical characteristics of Streptococcus mutans; Inoue M et al.; Representative strains of Streptococcus mutans serotypes a to g were examined for characteristic in vitro traits thought to contribute to cariogenic virulence . Most strains of serotypes a, d and g produced higher proportion of the cell-associated, alkali-soluble glucans from sucrose . Cells of these serotypes agglutinated upon addition of high-molecular-weight dextrans or sucrose, but did not adsorb well to saliva-coated hydroxyapatite . Serotype c, e and f strains, by contrast, synthesized higher proportions of the extracellular, water-soluble glucans and adsorbed well to saliva-coated hydroxyapatite particles but did not agglutinate with dextrans . Thus, serotype a, d and g S . mutans and type c, e and f S . mutans formed two separate groups on the basis of these biochemical properties . Synthesis of intracellular iodophilic polysaccharides from glucose showed a different pattern of distribution among the serotypes: types a, d, e and f synthesized large amounts of this polysaccharide, while all but one of the eight type c and g strains produced only small amounts . Serotype b S . mutans seemed to constitute a separate subgroup in terms of the above in vitro traits.

Arch Ophthalmol, 1982 Jan, 100(1), 77 - 80
Ulcerative keratitis . Survey of 30 years' laboratory experience; Asbell P et al.; During a 30-year period, causative organisms were identified on Gram's stain and culture in 547 of 677 cases of infectious corneal ulcers . Even if no organisms were seen on Gram's stain, culture results were often positive . Staphylococcus was the most common isolate; Moraxella, Pseudomonas, and Streptococcus pneumoniae were the next most frequent pathogens . Only 1% of cases were fungal . Of some help in identifying the causative organism were locations, presence or absence of hypopyon, and perforation of the ulcer . Most marginal lesions were a result of staphylococcal infection; central lesions were more likely to be Gram-negative ulcers . Fungal ulcers were identified by laboratory workup and not by clinical characteristics . Moraxella infection was observed almost exclusively in malnourished patients . Pseudomnas ulcers were often seen in patients with large body burns or patients receiving respiratory assistance . Gentamicin and neomycin were the most effective treatments.

Infect Immun, 1982 Jan, 35(1), 240 - 7
Mouse protection assay for group B streptococcus type III; Fleming DO; The mucin model for group B Streptococcus (GBS) type III was used to assay the protective effect of sera against a type III challenge in mice . Hyperimmune rabbit sera, prepared by the Lancefield method against the laboratory reference strain (SS620) and a clinical isolate (M732), protected against a lethal challenge with either strain of GBS type III . Absorption of the sera with either of these type III strains removed the protective effect . Neither normal rabbit sera nor heterologous antisera (anti-Ia, SS615) provided protection; however, protection was obtained with pooled human gamma globulin . Sera from adult volunteers were tested to assay protective levels in the mouse model . Human sera enhanced the mouse lethality of the clinical isolate, M732, but not the laboratory reference strain, SS620 . Sera from adults vaccinated with type III polysaccharide of GBS were also tested . The murine-mucin-GBS model may be developed as a screening test to measure protective antibody levels in the pre- and postvaccine treatment period . The model may also be used to measure protective antibody in pooled human gamma globulin for use in the passive immunization of high-risk individuals.

Minerva Med, 1981 Dec 30, 72(52), 3589 - 93
{Changes in the pharyngeal bacterial flora during hyperbaric oxygenation}; Ulewicz K et al.; Qualitative and quantitative bacteriological tests of throat smears were carried out on the following three groups of patients: 1) Patients exposed to several 90-minute sequences of oxygen hyperbaria, at a height of 2.2 ata O2, at intervals of 2 to 3 days . 2) Patients exposed to a single 30-minute dose of oxygen hyperbaria at a height of 2.5 ata O2/the oxygen test . 3) Patients who had never been exposed to oxygen hyperbaria . Several hundred bacterials strains of the Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Klebsiella and Nocardia genus were isolated from the material collected from the tested patients over intervals of a few days . The collected samples were when subjected to a detailed bacteriological analysis . At the same time bacteriological tests were performed at intervals on the hyperbaric atmosphere of the therapeutic pressure chamber, the walls of the chamber, and the masks used by the patients during the administration of hyperbaric oxygen . A certain degree of qualitative and quantitative changes (number reduction of bacterial strains) was observed . The authors attribute these results to the influence of hyperbaric oxygenation both on the microorganisms, as well as on a given patient's reactivity.

Jpn J Antibiot, 1981 Dec, 34(12), 1626 - 33
{Clinical evaluation of cefroxadine dry syrup in pediatric field (author's transl)}; Minamitani M et al.; Clinical evaluation was carried out on cefroxadine dry syrup (containing 100 mg of cefroxadine per 1 g) for child use, and the following results were obtained . 1 . Serum levels: Peak serum levels at 1 hour after single administration of CXD 100 mg (9.1 mg/kg) to a 4-year old child (11kg) and 300 mg (12.8 mg/kg) to a 8-year old child (23.5 kg) were 20.32 microgram/ml and 18.75 microgram/ml, respectively . They declined to 0.78 microgram/ml and 0.88 microgram/ml respectively after 6 hours and to undetectable levels after 8 hours . Half-life was 1 hour and 1.2 hours, respectively . CXD has shown the same concentration pattern as CEX, except for the fact that serum levels were peaked after 30 minutes and not detectable after 6 hours . 2 . Clinical responses: CXD was administered, for 7 days, to 33 children with scarlet fever in the dosage of greater than or equal 20 approximately less than 60 mg/kg/day (7 children in greater than or equal to 20 approximately 30 mg/kg/day, 21 in greater than or equal to 30 approximately less than 40 mg/kg/day and 5 in greater than or equal to 40 approximately less than 60 mg/kg/day) . Clinical responses were excellent in 19 cases and good in 14 cases, with an efficacy rate of 100% . All strains of group A Streptococcus isolated from the pharynx of 22 children were eradicated within 24 hours . In 1 case each of acute pharyngitis, acute tonsillitis, acute laryngotracheitis and staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome, the dosage of greater than or equal to 30 approximately less than 45 mg/kg/day produced a 100% good clinical response and eliminated the causative pathogens . 3 . Side effect: Only 2 cases of eosinophilia were observed in hematologic study as well as in hepatic and renal function tests before and after administration.

J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1981 Dec, 34(12), 1577 - 80
9-epi-leucomycin A5 . Synthesis and antimicrobial activity; Sakakibara H et al.; 9-epi-Leucomycin A5 has been obtained from leucomycin A5 (I) by the following reaction sequence . Leucomycin A5 (I) was treated with Collins reagent (CrO3-pyridine) in the presence of water (13%) to provide 9-dehydroleucomycin A5 (II) in 95% yield . The formyl group was internally protected by the reaction of II with acetic anhydride-K2CO3 to afford 18,2'-di-O-acetyl-9-dehydroleucomycin A5-3,18-hemiacetal (III) . Sodium borohydride reaction of II provided a 1 : 1 mixture of natural I and its 9-epimer, 9-epi-leucomycin A5 (IV), which were separated by silica gel chromatography . It was observed that the antimicrobial activities of both enantiomers were virtually identical with some tests strains but that of IV is reduced in comparison with I in some bacteria such as Staphylococcus epidermidis sp-al-1 and Streptococcus pyogenes N . Y . 5.

Infect Immun, 1981 Dec, 34(3), 871 - 9
Effect of human saliva on the fluoride sensitivity of glucose uptake by Streptococcus mutans; Germaine GR et al.; The fluoride (F) sensitivity of glucose uptake by whole cell suspensions of streptococcus mutans in the presence and absence of human whole salivary supernatant was studied . It was observed that dithiothreitol (DTT) and other thiols markedly reduced the F sensitivity of cells when saliva (50%, vol/vol) was present during glucose uptake . In the absence of saliva, cells were sensitive to 2 to 2.5 mM F regardless of the presence of thiols . Supplementation of cells in phosphate or tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane-hydrochloride buffers with physiological concentrations of calcium or phosphate had no effect on the F sensitivity of the organism . Experiments with permeabilized cells suggested that thiols themselves had no direct effect on the F sensitivity of enolase (a principal F target) . Cells pretreated with DDT subsequently exhibited decreased F sensitivity when examined in the presence of saliva but not in the absence of saliva . Cells pretreated with whole salivary supernatant were found to be subsequently less sensitive to F in the absence of saliva during glucose uptake . Furthermore, in cases where cells were pretreated with saliva, subsequent additions of DDT were unnecessary to obtain maximal reduction in the F sensitivity of glucose uptake . It was concluded that the saliva-dependent reduction in F sensitivity of glucose uptake was not due to sequestration of available F by salivary constituents . The data suggest that a salivary component(s) interacts directly with the microorganism in some manner which results in reduced F sensitivity of the process under study . Possible mechanisms of saliva action are discussed.

Infect Immun, 1981 Dec, 34(3), 1044 - 55
Isolation and characterization of Streptococcus mutans mutants defective in adherence and aggregation; Murchison H et al.; A method was developed which enriched for mutants of Streptococcus mutans that exhibit defects in adherence to glass, aggregation, or both . Mutants were isolated from derivatives of strains PS14 (serotype c) and 6715 (serotype g) after mutagenesis with either ethyl methane sulfonate or nitrous acid . Cell survival after mutagenesis was kept above 1 to 2% to enhance the probability that mutants resulted from single mutational events . A total of 117 mutants were isolated; they also displayed non-wild-type colony morphology on mitis salivarius agar . These mutants were examined for (i) adherence and aggregation after overnight growth in sucrose-containing medium, (ii) aggregation of nongrowing cells in the presence of 200 microgram of sucrose per ml or 20 microgram of dextran per ml, and (iii) dextranase production on blue dextran agar plates . Although we isolated mutants which exhibited a variation from the parent strain in only one of the traits tested, the majority of mutants exhibited defects in two or more characteristics . Thirty-eight stable mutants of independent origin were categorized into 13 separate phenotypic groups.

Am J Gastroenterol, 1981 Dec, 76(6), 542 - 3
Streptococcus bovis bacteremia following surgical cure of colonic cancer; Ribaudo TP et al.; A patient with adenocarcinoma of the colon developed S . bovis endocarditis 21 months after presumed surgical cure of his cancer . The sequence in all previously published cases is that of bacteremia first, followed by a diagnosis of colon cancer . Is there a predetermined genetic or immunologic factor predisposing to S . bovis bacteremia even after the integrity of the mucosal barrier has been restored post-resection?

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1981 Dec, (12), 66 - 9
{Physicochemical and immunochemical characteristics of the polysaccharides of Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 3}; Tsvetkova NV et al.; Capsular polysaccharides were isolated from Str . pneumoniae (serotype 3), grown on solid culture media, by the method of acetone sedimentation and subsequent deproteinization with phenol . The preparations thus obtained possessed serological type specificity, contained more than 40% of carbohydrates and insignificant amounts of protein and nucleic substances . The isolated polysaccharides contained a high-molecular fraction with the coefficient of distribution not exceeding 0.1, thus corresponding to the requirements for highly immunogenic preparations.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1981 Dec, (12), 60 - 2
{Biological properties of the antigens isolated from Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 3}; Elkina SI et al.; The protective activity of polysaccharide-containing antigens of Str . pneumoniae, serotype 3, was studied . The protective properties of the preparation were shown to be directly related to the quantitative content of carbohydrate substances, and the preparation was shown to be capable of inducing specific resistance . The study revealed that the resistance of mice to infection with the virulent strain of Str . pneumoniae, serotype 3, did not ensure the rapid elimination of the infective agent from the body . The antimicrobial effect of the preparation was due to the presence of protein, not subjected to deproteinization.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1981 Dec, (12), 56 - 9
{Sensitivity of different mouse strains to Streptococcus pneumomiae serotype 3}; Vinnik AL et al.; The sensitivity of different mouse strains to Str . pneumoniae, serotype 3, after the intraperitoneal injection of the infective agent was studied . These experiments revealed that the animals under study, so far as their susceptibility and sensitivity were concerned, formed a single group, highly sensitive to this serotype . The sublethal dose of the pneumococcus was determined . The distribution of pneumococci in the organs during a definite time interval was shown and the fact of the prolonged carriership of the capsular forms of the pneumococci was established.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1981 Dec, (12), 32 - 6
{Streptococcus pneumoniae interaction with continuous human cell lines}; Gosteva VV et al.; The in vitro model of pneumococcal infection, using continuous mammalian cell lines, is proposed . Two different types of interaction between bacteria and eucaryotic cells are described: the intracellular ingestion of bacteria or their proliferation on the surface of the cellular monolayer, these different types of interaction being characteristic of different cell lines . In case of the proliferation of bacteria on the surface of the monolayer the forms, morphologically similar to the stages of microbial L-transformation, have been detected.

Jpn Circ J, 1981 Dec, 45(12), 1395 - 8
Cytotoxicity of antiserum sensitized hemolytic streptococcal M protein fraction on cultured myocardial cells; Yoshinaga M et al.; We have studied cytotoxicity of antisera of monkeys sensitized to streptococcal M protein fraction, which was prepared by the method of Lancefield et al., on cultured myocardial cells . These antisera exerted a significantly higher cytotoxic effect on the myocardial cells than normal monkey sera, and this cytotoxic effect seemed to be organ-specific . In the presence of normal monkey lymphocytes, the antisera had a cytotoxic effect on myocardial cells, but normal sera in the presence of normal monkey lymphocytes had no cytotoxic effects . These data suggest that M protein fraction of hemolytic streptococcus plays an important role in the pathogenesis of rheumatic carditis.

J Bacteriol, 1981 Dec, 148(3), 912 - 8
Inactivation of cell-associated fructosyltransferase in Streptococcus salivarius; Jacques NA et al.; In stationary phase, 95% of the fructosyltransferase (FTase) activity of Streptococcus salivarius ATCC 25975 was found associated with the cells . Within the first 15 min after inoculation into fresh medium, the specific activity of cell-associated FTase decreased by 92% of its initial value . After this period of initial loss, the enzyme was synthesized during exponential growth until a maximum level equivalent to that present before inoculation was obtained . The inactivation of FTase was also demonstrated in a nongrowing system . Washed cell suspensions incubated at 37 degrees C in 200 mM potassium phosphate buffer (pH 6.5) containing 10 microM Cu2+ lost 80 to 95% of their FRase activity after 30 min . This loss could be prevented by the addition of histidine, cysteine, or Ca2+ to the suspension mixture . A factor(s) essential for the inactivation of cell-associated FTase could itself be preferentially inactivated by heating cells at 40 degrees C for periods of up to 3 h, or by storage of cells at 0 to 4 degrees C for several days in a low-ionic-strength, low-pH, potassium phosphate buffer . Treatment of cells with the N-acetylmuramidase enzyme M-1, in the presence of 0.5 M melezitose, resulted in the release of FTase from the cell . The released enzyme was recovered in the supernatant fraction after centrifugation at 160,000 x g for 90 min . Comparison of solubilized active and inactivated FTase preparations by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis demonstrated that the inactivation of cell-associated FTase activity was associated with the loss of specific protein bands.

Jpn J Exp Med, 1981 Dec, 51(6), 335 - 44
Reduced antitumor and immune-adjuvant activities of the sub-cellular fractions from Group A Streptococcus; Ryoyama K et al.; The sub-cellular fractions from Group A streptococcus (Su-strain) were prepared, and their antitumor and biological activities were examined . The cell wall fraction (CWF) and the protoplast membrane fraction (PMF) were slightly effective in retarding the growth of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma in outbred ddY mice when either fraction was used in combination with 5-FU . The cytoplasmic particle fraction (CPF) and the cytoplasmic soluble fraction (CSF), however, were not effective . In the B6D2F1 mice-L 1210 leukemia system, none of the subcellular fractions were beneficial even when combined with 5-FU . Further, the antitumor effect of OK-432 was completely abolished by disruption of the preparation, indicating that antitumor activity of OK-432 may depend on the structural integrity of the cocci in the preparation . Despite the general lack of anti-tumor activity in the mouse systems, the subcellular fractions, including those of OK-432, inhibited the growth of Yoshida sarcoma cells in culture and the uptake of {2H}-UR and {3H}-TdR by L 1210 cells in vitro . The immunopotentiating activities of these fractions, however, were demonstrated to be markedly diminished as compared with those of OK-432 and heated Su-cocci (60 degrees C, 30 min) . The present study, therefore, shows that the decreased antitumor activity of the subcellular fractions closely correlate to the decrease of their immunopotentiating activities.

Infect Immun, 1981 Dec, 34(3), 787 - 94
Lysis of erythrocytes by a hemolysin produced by a group B Streptococcus sp; Marchlewicz BA et al.; An improved procedure for the isolation and purification of the hemolysin produced by a group B streptococcus was developed, and the inactivation of partially purified hemolysin by several enzymes was studied . Hemolysin obtained in buffer containing starch and Tween 80 was inactivated by subtilisin and alpha-amylase, suggesting that the hemolysin may consist of a protein hemolytic moiety complexed to starch which acts as a carrier or stabilizer . Properties of the hemolytic reaction were studied by using sheep erythrocytes as target cells . Experiments to examine the kinetics of hemolysis at different hemolysin concentrations resulted in a family of sigmoidal curves characterized by a short prelytic lag phase followed by a period of rapid release of hemoglobin . The binding of the group B hemolysin at 37 degrees C was rapid; within 3 min, most of the cells had bound sufficient hemolysin to produce lysis . In contrast, the hemolysin did not bind to erythrocytes at 0 degrees C . The length of the prelytic lag period and the rate of hemolysis were also temperature dependent . A decrease in total hemolysis was observed when the target cell/hemolysin ratio was increased, suggesting that a multihit response is required for lysis . Intracellular 86Rb and hemoglobin were released at the same rate from hemolysin-treated cells, indicating that a colloid-osmotic process is not involved in the lytic mechanism.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1981 Dec, (12), 39 - 43
{Indirect immunofluorescence reaction study of systemic and local humoral immunity in patients with chronic inflammatory lung disease . I . Serological study results with Streptococcus pneumoniae autostrains}; Vishniakova LA et al.; In the serological study of chronic bronchitis at the stage of exacerbation, carried out by means of the indirect immunofluorescence test with the use of Str . pneumoniae autostrains, 90.3 +/- 4% of the patients showed correlation between the presence of pneumococci in the bronchial contents and the systemic immunological reaction to this infective agent . At the acute stage of chronic bronchitis high antibody titers (1 : 1280 - 1 : 5120) prevailed, and the repeated study revealed the 4-fold and greater growth of the initial antibody titers in 35.7 +/- 6.4% of the patients . Antipneumococcal immunity in chronic bronchitis was found to have a pronounced type-specific character.

Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol, 1981 Dec, (12), 30 - 2
{Protective activity of antigenic preparations isolated by different methods from Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 3}; Rodionychev EA et al.; The specific protective activity of antigenic preparations isolated from Str . pneumoniae culture by sedimentation with 96% ethanol or acetone was demonstrated in experiments with the active immunization of mice and their subsequent challenge with a virulent culture . The protective activity of antigenic preparations, expressed in micrograms, was shown to be directly related to the protein content of these preparations and inversely related to their carbohydrate content . The deproteinization of antigenic complexes isolated from Str . pneumoniae grown both in solid and in liquid culture media was accompanied by an increase in their immunogenicity.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1981 Dec, 251(1), 15 - 26
Purification and characterization of erythrogenic toxins . IV . Communication: mitogenic activity of erythrogenic toxin produced by Streptococcus pyogenes strain NY-5; Knoll H et al.; Some in vitro reactions involved in the mitogenic activity of a purified erythrogenic toxin from the group A streptococcus strain NY-5 (ET NY-5) were studied . The optimal dose in the human blood lymphocyte transformation test was 1 to 10(-1) microgram/ml lymphocyte culture, the maximum of 3H-thymidine incorporation was on day 3 or 4 . The mitogenic activity showed the signs of nonspecificity, nevertheless, a specific mitogenic effect could not be ruled out either . When Con A and ET NY-5 were added simultaneously in high or low doses at the beginning of lymphocyte cultivation, antagonism or an additive effect was observed, respectively . Incubation of lymphocytes with ET NY-5 resulted in a decrease of mitogenic activity in the supernatants . Erythrocytes had no similar binding activity . ET NY-5 acts as a T-cell mitogen; 98% of ET NY-5-stimulated lymphoblasts formed E rosettes with sheep red blood cells . Thin-layer isoelectric focusing experiments revealed two mitogenic peaks corresponding to toxin types A and C in the ET preparation.

Prim Care, 1981 Dec, 8(4), 593 - 604
Rapid laboratory diagnosis of infectious diseases; Kumar A et al.; The countercurrent immunoelectrophoresis and latex particle agglutination tests are rapid, do not require expensive apparatus, and are easy to perform if specific antigens and antisera are available . Both tests have been shown to be of value in the diagnosis of bacterial infections (such as those caused by H . influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, N . meningitidis, E . coli, Staphylococcus aureus and group B streptococcus) and of viral infections (HRVLA and hepatitis B); they may also be of value in fungal and parasitic infections . Etiologic diagnosis of commonly seen clinical conditions (such as pneumonia, meningitis, cellulitis, osteomyelitis, lymphadenitis, and arthritis) by practicing physicians can be made using these tests to detect antigens in various body fluids in a hospital laboratory.

Scand J Dent Res, 1981 Dec, 89(6), 445 - 9
Effect of intensive treatment with chlorhexidine on number of Streptococcus mutans in saliva; Maltz M et al.; The effect of intensive treatment with chlorhexidine on the number of S . mutans in saliva was studied in 24 schoolchildren highly infected with this organism . Chlorhexidine gel in individual dental trays was applied under supervision on two consecutive days, four times the first day and three times the second day . The number of S . mutans in saliva was monitored for 6 months . Immediately after treatment, the number was greatly reduced in all of the children . Thirty days after treatment only three children had more than 2 X 10(5) S . mutans/ml saliva, and after 4 months, 11 children still had less than 2 X 10(5) S . mutans/ml saliva . After 6 months the effect of the treatment was obvious in 20% of the children . The results indicate that intensive treatment with chlorhexidine can be used to reduce the S . mutans infection . The antimicrobial treatment, however, should be individually controlled because of variations in the response of the subjects.

J Dent Res, 1981 Dec, 60(12), 1987 - 92
Characterization of calcifiable proteolipid from Streptococcus mutans; Streckfuss JL et al.; Proteolipid is known to initiate calcification in vitro . Apoprotein and phospholipid components of proteolipid from five of 14 calcifiable S . mutans specimens were characterized . The apoproteins contained 16 amino acids with calculated percent polarities ranging from 32.0 to 45.2 . The acidic phospholipids were cardiolipin, mono- and diphosphoinositides, and phosphatidylserine . Neutral lipids, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine, were also found . The latter were the most abundant in all isolates . Appropriate hydrophobic proteins and acidic phospholipids in the proteolipids accounted for S . mutans calcifiability.

J Dent Res, 1981 Dec, 60(12), 1936 - 42
Comparison of Streptococcus mutans concentrations in non-banded and banded orthodontic patients; Corbett JA et al.; The effect of orthodontic banding on the prevalence of Streptococcus mutans in plaque was evaluated by comparisons between patients wearing bands and patients just prior to banding on the basis of treatment and/or dental caries history . Banded patients had significantly higher levels of S . mutans in plaque and greater numbers of S . mutans-infected sites than did caries-free patients . Caries-free banded patients had more S . mutans-infected sample sites than did the caries-free non-banded group.

Prim Care, 1981 Dec, 8(4), 571 - 81
An approach to the child with pharyngitis; Congeni BL; In the child with pharyngitis, the physician's major task is to distinguish streptococcal from nonbacterial pharyngitis . Clinical and laboratory information is useful, but the diagnosis of streptococcal disease may be imprecise . Even the recovery of group A streptococcus from a throat culture must be interpreted with caution . Most physicians who treat a large number of children with pharyngitis will depend to a large extent on clinical judgment . When judgment is reinforced by a leukocyte count and differential and/or a throat culture, accuracy is enhanced considerably . Under the best of circumstances, some patients without streptococcal disease will be treated . Once the decision to treat is made, there is never a reason to use any drug other than penicillin for 10 days . In my experience, an injection of benzathine penicillin G, usually in combination with procaine penicillin G, is the safest, most effective, and most practical form of therapy, and compliance in 100 per cent of patients is ensured.

J Gen Microbiol, 1981 Dec, 127 (Pt 2), 407 - 15
Insoluble glucan synthesis by mutansucrase as a determinant of the cariogenicity of Streptococcus mutans; Wenham DG et al.; Five strains of Streptococcus mutans were grown in continuous culture with either a limited supply or an excess of glucose . Proteins secreted into the extracellular fluid by strains C67-1, 3209 and K1 rapidly catalysed the synthesis of insoluble glucan from sucrose (mutansucrase activity) . The culture fluid from strains Ingbritt or C67-25 catalysed the synthesis of soluble glucan (dextransucrase activity) and fructan, but little or no mutansucrase activity was detected . The strains which secreted active mutansucrase readily colonized a smooth hard surface during growth in batch culture and were more cariogenic in pathogen-free rats than those which secreted little mutansucrase activity . There was no similar correlation between fructosyltransferase, dextransucrase or total glucosyltransferase activity and either adherence or cariogenicity . We conclude that the ability to catalyse insoluble glucan synthesis is a major determinant of the cariogenicity of S . mutans strains.

Boll Soc Ital Biol Sper, 1981 Nov 30, 57(22), 2277 - 82
Chromatographic purification from Streptococcus faecium extract of a factor active on Picornaviridae; Calatroni A et al.; "In vitro" antiviral activity against Picornaviridae and the trials for purification from Str . faecium extract of a factor responsible of these effects are reported . Fractionation on Bio-Gel P-150 and on DEAE-cellulose column and analytical methods for protein and aminosugars were used . Present results demonstrate an antiviral activity of Str . faecium extract against Picornaviridae . Virus inhibiting activity is not correlated with the majority of the Folin reacting proteins, which are present in the bacterial extract . No reliable relationship could be detected for aminosugars containing components, since the amount of aminosugar in fraction from Bio-Gel is extremely low and widely distributed.

Rev Infect Dis, 1981 Nov-Dec, 3 suppl, S240 - 9
Evaluation of antimicrobial agents in the rabbit model of endocarditis; Sande MA; The placement of a sterile polyethylene catheter in the heart of a rabbit results in nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis characterized by an accumulation of fibrin strands, erythrocytes, and platelets that adhere to the endothelial surface . These elements form a nidus where a pathogen, when introduced by injection, lodges, multiples, and develops vegetations typical of infective endocarditis . In the rabbit model, endocarditis induced by Staphylococcus aureus or viridans group Streptococcus resembles the human disease in clinical and bacteriologic features and in response to antimicrobial therapy . The rabbit model thus affords a means of evaluating the therapy of endocarditis . The end points of therapeutic response are culture-negative vegetations and failure to relapse . On the basis of these criteria vancomycin was found to be more rapidly effective in curing an infection caused by a single strain of S . aureus than penicillin or cefazolin and as effective as a combination of penicillin and gentamicin.

Boll Ist Sieroter Milan, 1981 Nov, 60(5), 381 - 5
The colonization of Streptococcus faecium in human intestinal tract after oral administration; Bongetta R et al.; The colonizing ability of Streptococcus faecium strain SF 68 at different levels of the gastrointestinal tract was assessed in ten patients . They were orally treated with a preparation containing the bacteria in lyophilized form for three days . During an abdominal surgical operation a sample of bacterial content of jejunum, ileum and colon was taken and cultured . The Streptococcus faecium was detected in all treated patients in a quite high concentration compared to the counts of both aerobic and anaerobic germs . These data confirms the rapid growth of SF 68 after oral administration in the gastrointestinal human tract.

J Gen Microbiol, 1981 Nov, 127, pt 1, 201 - 8
Metabolism of the polysaccharides of human dental plaque: release of dextranase in batch cultures of Streptococcus mutans; Walker GJ et al.; Dextranase activity was determined in cell extracts and cell-free filtrates of Streptococcus mutans strains which had been grown in batch culture . Exo-dextranase activity was located chiefly in cell extracts, whereas endo-dextranase was mainly extracellular . Release of endo-dextranase began early in the exponential phase of growth, and ended when the concentration of residual sugar was low . Thus, dextranase expression was associated with rapidly growing cells, the yield of dextranase was increased several fold when the initial concentration of D-glucose in the medium was changed from 0.5% to 2% . The endo-dextranase was not stable at pH 5, and control of the pH of the culture was essential to preserve active dextranase during overnight growth . Strain Ingbritt (serotype c) and serotype d strains were the best dextranase producers; other strains (serotypes a, b, c, e and f) displayed much lower activity . The ability to produce endo-dextranase, and to synthesize alpha-D-glucans with a high proportion of (1 leads to 3)-linked sequences, appeared to be related properties . The possibility is discussed that the release of two enzymes, namely endo-dextranase and the D-glucosyltransferase (GTF-I) that synthesizes (1 leads to 3)-alpha-D-glucan, are factors that contribute to the cariogenicity of S . mutans serotype d.

J Gen Microbiol, 1981 Nov, 127, pt 1, 147 - 54
The use of M1 medium in transformation of Streptococcus pneumoniae; Grist RW et al.; Cultures of a variety of pneumococcal strains maintained competence longer and gave higher yields of transformants when incubated in M1 medium compared with NS medium . This was most probably due to the cells remaining competent for longer in M1 medium . Various parameters controlling the development of competence in M1 medium were investigated . The onset of competence was delayed in M1 medium compared with that in NS medium, probably due to the presence of Casamino acids in the former . Competence developed normally over a pH range of 7.3 to 8.3, with cultures inoculated from the same batch of frozen "precultures" showing consistent characteristics . This was not observed when frozen "sensitization" cultures were revived . The average cell chain length increased with the development of competence in all the strains tested and, with the exception of cultures which had entered the stationary growth phase, declined after the culture had lost its competence . The extent of the increase in chain length was dependent upon the pH of the medium.

Infect Immun, 1981 Nov, 34(2), 407 - 15
Immunization with purified protein antigens from Streptococcus mutans against dental caries in rhesus monkeys; Lehner T et al.; Protein antigens I, I/II, II, and III were prepared from Streptococcus mutans (serotype c) . Their immunogenicities and protective effects against dental caries were investigated in 40 rhesus monkeys kept entirely on a human-type diet, containing about 15% sucrose . Antigens I, I/II and, to a lesser extent, antigen II induced significant reductions in dental caries, as compared with sham-immunized monkeys . This was achieved with 1 or 2 doses of antigen, the first of which was administered with adjuvant (Freund incomplete adjuvant or aluminum hydroxide) . There was no reduction in caries in monkeys immunized with antigen III . The reduction in caries in the animals immunized with antigens I or I/II was comparable to that in monkeys immunized with whole cells . Protection against caries was associated predominantly with serum and gingival crevicular fluid immunoglobulin G antibodies, which appeared to be directed against the antigen I determinant, but antibodies to antigen II, though not to antigen III, were also protective.

Obstet Gynecol, 1981 Nov, 58(5), 621 - 5
Bacteremia in obstetrics: clinical course; Blanco JD et al.; The authors reviewed all documented cases of bacteremia in obstetric patients between 1975 and 1979, with emphasis on the clinical course . The incidence of bacteremia was 7.5:1000 obstetric admissions and 9.7% of those patients sampled . One hundred seventy-six bacteremic obstetric patients had the following diagnoses: endoparametritis (123), pyelonephritis (29), chorioamnionitis (14), and other (10) . No deaths, clinical evidence of septic shock, or cases of postinfection endocarditis were found . The most common bloodstream isolates were Escherichia coli (57), group B streptococcus (28), and Bacteroides sp (26) . The patients with endoparametritis had a fever index of 86.2 +/- 47.1F-hours, an average hospital stay of 6.5 +/- 3.1 days, a 7.3% rate of complications, and a 19.5% rate of failure of primary antibiotics . The patients with chorioamnionitis had a fever index of 32.7 +/- 48.9F-hours and an average hospital stay of 4.8 +/- 2.3 days . These clinical measures are comparable with those in the general population with the same diagnoses at the authors' hospital . In this obstetric population, prompt, vigorous treatment rendered the clinical course of bacteremic patients with genital infections remarkably similar to that of nonbacteremic patients with the same kinds of infection.

J Exp Med, 1981 Nov 1, 154(5), 1703 - 8
C-reactive protein is protective against Streptococcus pneumoniae infection in mice; Mold C et al.; C-reactive protein (CRP) has several properties that suggest that it may function as a bacterial opsonin . CRP shows binding reactivity with pneumococcal C-polysaccharide, the cell wall carbohydrate of Streptococcus pneumoniae . In this study we have demonstrated protection of mice against serotypes 3 and 4 of S . pneumoniae infection by a single prior injection of CRP . This effect was seen both in mice that lacked antibody to phosphocholine and in normal mice . Thus the opsonic properties of CRP previously described may be related to protection against pneumococcal infection.

Gene, 1981 Nov, 15(2-3), 289 - 93
Rapid cloning of specific DNA fragments of Streptococcus pneumoniae by vector integration into the chromosome followed by endonucleolytic excision; Mejean V et al.; A method for the rapid cloning of specific Streptococcus pneumoniae DNA fragments depends on the integration by homologous recombination into the bacterial chromosome of a plasmid which carries an insert of S . pneumoniae DNA, but which cannot be autonomously maintained in S . pneumoniae . Selection for plasmid integration employs aminopterin or erythromycin resistance . Host sequences adjacent to the site of insertion are easily cloned by enzymatic excision and recircularization of the plasmid, followed by propagation in Escherichia coli . This is particularly useful for repeated cloning of a given fragment that carries various mutations.

Arch Ophthalmol, 1981 Nov, 99(11), 2034 - 6
Cephradine levels in human aqueous humor; Axelrod JL et al.; In an attempt to investigate penetration of cephradine into the primary aqueous humor in man, we administered 500-mg and 1-g doses of cephradine orally to 27 patients about to undergo elective cataract extraction . A mean peak aqueous humor level of 0.87 microgram/mL was obtained at about three hours after the 500-mg dose . The mean peak aqueous humor level after the 1-g dose also occurred at three hours and was 1.99 microgram/mL, with a range from 0.91 to 3.25 microgram/mL . This concentration was greater than the median minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of cephradine for Streptococcus pneumoniae, Str pyogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus (when tested in nutrient agar) but was greater than the MIC for 90% of isolates only with Str pyogenes.

J Dairy Sci, 1981 Nov, 64(11), 2240 - 5
Effect of duration of teat cup liner closure per pulsation cycle on bovine mastitis; Reitsma SY et al.; Measurements of teat end expansion and contraction times from step changes in pressure suggest that teat ends require a minimal duration of liner closure for response . Effect of duration of liner closure per pulsation cycle on susceptibility of the udder to infection was tested . Four durations of liner closure (liner more than half closed) were applied: zero, .17, .34, and .51 s per pulsation cycle . For the latter three treatments, duration of the liner more than half open was .66 s per pulsation cycle, resulting in pulsation rates of 72.3, 60.0, and 51.3 pulsations per min . Four groups, each of 10 British Friesian cows, were in a 4-wk experiment . High bacterial exposure of all teats was ensured by dipping them before and after each milking in a suspension of Streptococcus agalactiae and Streptococcus dysgalactiae . Numbers of quarters becoming infected per treatment group were 20, 11, 4, and 5 . This result represents both a significant inverse linear and quadratic relationship between proportion of quarters becoming infected and duration of liner closure . We conclude that a sufficient duration of liner closure, i.e., one-third of a second or more, per pulsation cycle contributes to reducing risk of new mammary gland infections.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1981 Nov, 20(5), 563 - 6
Effect of subinhibitory concentrations of antibiotics on the adhesion of Streptococcus pyogenes to pharyngeal epithelial cells; Tylewska S et al.; The hydrophobicity and charge of the cell surface of M protein-positive (M+) and the less virulent M protein-negative (M-) strains of type 12 Streptococcus pyogenes have been studied, respectively, by hydrophobic interaction chromatography and free zone electrophoresis . The M+ strain had a more hydrophobic and a more negatively charged surface than the M- strain . When the M+ strain was cultivated in the presence of sub-minimum inhibitory concentrations of different antibiotics, its hydrophobicity either decreased or did not change . The M+ organisms adhered to pharyngeal epithelial cells more avidly than M+; however, cultivation of both strains with sub-minimum inhibitory concentrations of penicillin and rifampin led to the decrease in adhesion . Tetracycline caused a decrease in adhesion for the M+ strain only, whereas cephalothin and polymyxin (to which the strains are resistant) did not affect adhesion or hydrophobicity of the M+ organisms . The negative surface charge of the M+ bacteria increased considerably upon exposure to rifampin and penicillin, and the M- bacteria exhibited small or no change . The contributions of these changes to suppression of infections are discussed.

Can J Microbiol, 1981 Nov, 27(11), 1150 - 5
Type III group B streptococcal infections in mice: bacteremia and meningitis following oral inoculation; Lounsbery JL et al.; The successful production of disease in mice by a type III group B streptococcus is described in this report . When injected intravenously, 106 organisms produced a fulminating sepsis and resulted in 100% mortality within 48 h . Inoculation of 108 - 109 organisms directly onto the surface of the oropharynx progressed to bacteremia and meningitis in greater than 50% of animals . In a group of mice treated with penicillin immediately after oropharyngeal inoculation, the incidence of invasive bacteremia was reduced to 30% . The use of this animal model for studying the pathogenesis and treatment of experimentally produced meningitis and eradication of oropharyngeal colonization is discussed.

Am J Med Sci, 1981 Nov-Dec, 282(3), 98 - 103
Endocarditis due to group A streptococcus; Savage D et al.; In a prospective 30-month study 85 cases of endocarditis were observed at Harlem Hospital Center . Seven were due to group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus . Six of the seven were heroin users in whom solitary tricuspid valve infection occurred . Aortic valve infection occurred in the remaining patient . An incidence of 8% of group A streptococcal endocarditis was observed . An unusual local frequency of 14% of group A endocarditis among heroin addicts was noted.

J Clin Microbiol, 1981 Nov, 14(5), 567 - 70
Lack of requirement for blind subcultures of BACTEC blood culture media; McLaughlin JC et al.; To determine the need for blind subculturing of BACTEC (Johnston Laboratories, Cockeysville, Md.) blood culture media, we compared results of radiometric readings, visual inspection, and blind subculturing for nearly 7,500 blood specimens . Visual inspection and radiometric testing were performed on day 1 through 7, and blind subcultures were made on day 3 . In the first phase of the study, 402 of 3,896 aerobic bottles were positive by radiometric testing (growth index, greater than 25), visual inspection, or subculturing . Only six bottles were radiometrically negative but subculture positive on day 3 . The second phase of the study was designed to determine if aerobic bottles eventually became radiometrically positive in those cases in which they were radiometrically negative but subculture positive on day 3 . Two bottles were subculture positive but never gave a growth index of greater than or equal to 25 by day 7 . One yielded Staphylococcus epidermidis, and one yielded viridans, Streptococcus sp . A total of 35 anaerobic organisms were isolated from 3,896 blood specimens . All of these anaerobes were detected by both radiometric testing and subculturing . We examined a total of 14,972 blood culture bottles . Twenty-nine bottles considered negative by visual inspection or radiometric readings were found to be positive by subculturing . Fifteen of these were shown, by chart review, to contain contaminants . Organisms in the other negative bottles would not have gone undetected because companion bottles from the same patients were radiometrically or visually positive . We concluded that it is necessary to perform blind subcultures of BACTEC 7B and 8B blood culture bottles.

Arch Intern Med, 1981 Nov, 141(12), 1714 - 5
Serious infection in an adult due to penicillin-tolerant group B streptococcus; Steinbrecher UP; This report describes a patient with group B streptococcal (GBS) bacteremia with pyelonephritis and septic arthritis whose condition failed to improve after two weeks of therapy with penicillin G sodium . The organism was found to be tolerant to penicillin (minimal inhibitory concentration, 0.06 IU/mL; minimal bactericidal concentration {MBC}, 10 IU/mL) . Antimicrobial synergy with gentamicin sulfate was demonstrated (MBC of penicillin was 0.07 IU/mL in the presence of 2.5 micrograms/mL of gentamicin) . Addition of gentamicin to penicillin therapy was associated with clinical improvement . It is suggested that bactericidal rather than inhibitory susceptibility tests be employed as a guide to therapy in serious GBS infections . Where penicillin tolerance is found in association with a poor clinical response to penicillin, addition of an aminoglycoside should be considered . Antimicrobial synergy studies should be performed to demonstrate that a beneficial effect is possible at clinically attainable antibiotic concentrations.

J Am Acad Dermatol, 1981 Nov, 5(5), 592 - 4
Blistering distal dactylitis; McCray MK et al.; Blistering distal dactylitis is a distinctive infection localized to the volar fat pad of the distal phalanx of the finger . The causative agent is a group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus . The organism can be identified by a Gram-stained smear and culture of the blister fluid . The infection responds readily to incision and drainage, compresses, and a course of an appropriate oral antibiotic.

J Exp Med, 1981 Nov 1, 154(5), 1475 - 88
Alteration of clonal profile . III . T15 ontogenetic advantages are not sufficient for establishing idiotypic dominance in adoptive transfer; Quan ZS et al.; We have examined the ontogeny of BALB/c plaque-forming cell (PFC) responses to phosphorylcholine (PC) from fetal and neonatal liver by using the (CBA/N x BALB/c)F1 transplantation model . In this system, thymus-dependent (PC-keyhole limpet hemocyanin) and thymus-independent class 1 (PC-Brucella abortus, PC-lipopolysaccharide) PC antigens stimulate B cell subpopulations, which functionally emerge early after transfer . Responsiveness to a thymus-independent class 2 antigen, C-polysaccharide extract of a Streptococcus pneumoniae mutant, is acquired later . The response to PC antigens tested initially exhibited T15 dominance . Non-T15 clones, which are not expressed to a great degree in normal BALB/c mice, are inherently slow in their rate of maturation; in adoptive transfer, however, they eventually comprise much of the transplanted anti-PC PFC response . Obviously, the advantages the T15 subset has in ontogeny do not result in idiotypic dominance once the immature cells are removed from the intact BALB/c environment . We discuss possible regulatory mechanisms involved in the alteration of the T15+:T15- ratio.

J Periodontol, 1981 Nov, 52(11), 673 - 9
Salivary composition, phenytoin ingestion and gingival overgrowth; Smith QT et al.; Unstimulated and stimulated whole and unstimulated and stimulated parotid saliva were collected from subjected in three groups: I, control; II, seizure subjects ingesting phenytoin and without gingival overgrowth; III, seizure subjects receiving phenytoin and with grades 1 and 2 gingival overgrowth . Unstimulated whole saliva was obtained from mentally retarded donors with grade 3 phenytoin associated gingival overgrowth . The samples were analyzed for protein, lysozyme, lactoperoxidase, lactoferrin and aggregation capacity towards Streptococcus sanguis . Differences occurred in the salivary composition of patients ingesting phenytoin . No deficiencies of flow rate, protein or the specific proteins were found in subjects ingesting phenytoin . Instead, the only changes in these parameters were greater concentrations or secretion rates . Several differences occurred only in subjects with gingival overgrowth . These latter differences were prominent in unstimulated whole saliva . The data demonstrate changes in the oral cavity environment of patients ingesting phenytoin . These differences, however, do not have an obvious relationship to development of phenytoin associated gingival overgrowth . Some of the salivary changes occurred in patients undergoing therapy for seizures both with phenytoin and with other drugs . Increased amounts of unstimulated whole saliva components likely are due to excess tissue rather than a phenytoin effect on salivary gland secretions . In addition, most of the changes in salivary composition would not be expected to produce an environment the encourages plaque accumulation.

J Immunol, 1981 Nov, 127(5), 2089 - 92
Inhibitory effect of C-reactive protein on alternative C pathway activation by liposomes and Streptococcus pneumoniae; Mold C et al.; C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute phase serum protein found associated with damaged tissue at sites of inflammation . CRP bound to multivalent phosphocholine-containing or polycationic ligands activates C by the classical pathway . We have previously described liposomes of a particular lipid composition that are able both to activate the alternative pathway of C and to bind CRP . In addition many strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae activate the alternative pathway . We have shown CRP binding to these bacteria as well . Because antibody to an activating surface in many cases enhances alternative pathway activation, we tested CRP for a similar function in these systems . Our results indicate that, in contrast to antibody, CRP inhibits alternative pathway activation . This inhibition by CRP is apparently restricted to surfaces that bind CRP . Thus, CRP binding to membrane or bacterial surfaces can convert them from alternative pathway activation to classical pathway activation.

Antibiotiki, 1981 Nov, 26(11), 837 - 41
{Conditions for nisin adsorption by Streptococcus lactis cells}; Grushina VA et al.; Some conditions for absorption of nisin, a polypeptide antibiotic by the cells of Str . lactis were studied . The amounts of nisin adsorbed by the cells depended on the culture age: at the late stationary phase the adsorption level was 2 times higher than that at the logarithmic phase . The cells grown on a "poor" medium adsorbed 85-90 per cent of nisin added to the solution, while the cells grown on the "rich" medium adsorbed 50 per cent of the antibiotic . The adsorption level of nisin by the cells subjected to a thermal shock was higher than that by the live cells . Desorption of nisin from the cells with acid ethanol and bivalent cation solutions was insignificant . Nisin is adsorbed by the cells of other microorganisms, the adsorption levels by the cells of Bac . brevis being the same as those by the streptococcal cells, while the levels adsorbed by Bac . polymyxa being 4 times lower.

Jpn J Antibiot, 1981 Nov, 34(11), 1477 - 84
{A fundamental and clinical study of ceftizoxime in the field of obstetrics and gynecology (author's transl)}; Ninomiya K et al.; A fundamental and clinical study of ceftizoxime (CZX), a new cephalosporin antibiotic, has brought about the following results . 1 . The antibacterial activity of CZX against Bacteriodes fragilis and B . thetaiotaomicron was superior to that of CEZ, but inferior to that of CFX . CZX was the most active of the 3 drugs against B . distasonis, and was as active as CFX against B . vulgatus . The MICs of CZX against Peptococcus, Peptostreptococcus and anaerobic Streptococcus were 1.56 microgram/ml or lower . CEZ was more active than CZX against these anaerobic cocci . 2 . The concentrations of CZX in female genital organs and retroperitoneal dead space exudate after drip infusion of 1 g were high enough to fulfill the MICs of many bacterial isolates . 3 . CZX administered intravenously to 9 patients in daily doses of 1 approximately 8 g for 4 approximately 11 days was 100% effective . Pathogenic bacteria in 6 of the patients were eradicated in 4 and partially eradicated in 1 . The other patient had no bacteriological examination after therapy . 4 . No adverse reaction was observed . From above results it is concluded that CZX must be one of the most effective antibiotics for the treatment of gynecological infections.

J Virol, 1981 Nov, 40(2), 551 - 9
Isolation and characterization of a new bacteriophage, Cp-1, infecting Streptococcus pneumoniae; Ronda C et al.; Several pneumococcal phages showing a morphology completely different from those of all other previously found pneumococcal bacteriophages have been isolated . Bacteriophage Cp-1, one of the phages isolated, showed an irregular hexagonal structure and a short tail of 20 nm . The virion density was 1.46 g/cm3 . Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed the presence of nine polypeptides . The polypeptide showing a molecular weight of 39,000 accounted for more than the 90% of the total protein . The nucleic acid of Cp-1 was linear, double-stranded DNA with a mean length of 6.3 microns and a guanine-plus-cytosine content of 41%; its buoyant density was 1.699 and 1.422 g/cm3 in CsCl and CS2SO4, respectively . Its sedimentation coefficient (S20,w) was 19S . Cp-1 DNA showed a remarkable resistance to a large number of restriction endonucleases . A total of 12 fragments, ranging in molecular weight from 1.3 X 10(6) to 0.09 X 10(6), were produced by AluI, two fragments (molecular weight, 5.5 X 10(6) and 0.9 X 10(6)) were generated by HindIII, and two fragments (molecular weight, 6.0 X 10(6) and 5.7 X 10(6)) were produced by HaeIII . The easy visualization of th plaques produced by Cp-1, the small size of Cp-1 DNA (12 X 10(6) daltons), and other biological and physiochemical properties make this phage potentially useful for genetic studies.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1981 Nov, 78(11), 7028 - 32
Cloning of chromosomal genes in Streptococcus pneumoniae; Stassi DL et al.; A system for molecular cloning in Streptococcus pneumoniae was developed . The multicopy plasmids pMV158 (5.4 kilobases) and pLS1 (4.3 kilobases), which confer tetracycline resistance, were used as vectors to clone chromosomal genes of S . pneumoniae in host cells of this species . A 3.3-kilobase restriction fragment containing the malM gene, which codes for amylomaltase, was cloned in a deletion mutant lacking chromosomal homology with the fragment . The recombinant plasmid pLS70, could transform over 50% of a recipient population to maltose utilization . Amylomaltase constituted up to 10% of the protein of cells containing pLS70 . A derivative with a deletion, pLS69, appeared to gain a selective advantage by producing less enzyme . A 10-kilobase restriction fragment containing the sul-d gene for sulfonamide resistance was cloned in the presence of the homologous chromosomal gene . De novo establishment of a recombinant plasmid was just as frequent as transformation in an endogenous plasmid . Despite the processing of DNA during uptake in the transformation of S . pneumoniae, recombinant plasmids can be introduced . Models for the reconstruction of recombinant DNA in cells of S . pneumoniae and Bacillus subtilis are considered and compared.

Infect Immun, 1981 Nov, 34(2), 633 - 6
Adherence and Streptococcus mutans infections: in vitro study with saliva from noninfected and infected preschool children; Kohler B et al.; An in vitro adherence experiment was designed to mimic the transmission of Streptococcus mutans from mother to child to test the hypothesis that differences in initial adherence reflect differences in susceptibility to infection . The data show that the pretreatment of S . mutans cells with the saliva of the mother in a mother-child pair and the pretreatment of spheroidal hydroxyapatite with that of the child may result in combinations which counteract or foster the initial adherence to a varying extent . The findings indicate that such combinations may determine the risk of S . mutants infection.

Infect Immun, 1981 Nov, 34(2), 428 - 34
Isolation of a protein-containing cell surface component from Streptococcus sanguis which affects its adherence to saliva-coated hydroxyapatite; Liljemark WF et al.; The isolation and partial characterization of a protein-containing cell surface component from Streptococcus sanguis which blocks the adherence of this microbe to saliva-coated hydroxyapatite are described . Several methods of extraction were attempted . Sonication of whole cells and cell walls proved to be the most successful and yielded biologically active adherence-blocking components . The adherence-blocking ability of these components was effective in intraspecies blocking experiments . The extract obtained from cell walls of S . sanguis was examined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and shown to contain one major and two to three minor bands when stained with Coomassie blue . The molecular weight of the major band was estimated to be 70,000 to 90,000 . Gel filtration of the sonified cell wall extract on 10% agarose yielded two active adherence-blocking peaks, the void volume and a second peak.

S Afr Med J, 1981 Oct 17, 60(16), 629 - 31
Suppurative mesenteric lymphadenitis in children . Case reports; Constantinides CG et al.; Suppurative mesenteric lymphadenitis is so rarely encountered and its symptoms and findings so nonspecific tht it has not yet been diagnosed preoperatively . It seems to occur mainly in children between the ages of 3 and 13 years and presents in a manner suggestive of acute appendicitis . A palpable mass may further support this diagnosis (peri-appendiceal abscess) or encourage the consideration of other diagnoses such as lymphoma or inflammatory bowel disease . Even at laparotomy the diagnosis may not be immediately obvious . The organism is usually a haemolytic streptococcus, but a variety of other organisms have also been isolated . In the second case reported here, a pure growth of Staphylococcus aureus was obtained . Treatment consists of operative drainage with incidental appendicectomy followed by a course of the appropriate antibiotic . The postoperative course is usually uneventful and recovery rapid . The aetiology and mechanisms still have to be explained.

Biochemistry, 1981 Oct 13, 20(21), 6024 - 9
Chemical mechanism of the reaction catalyzed by dihydrofolate reductase from Streptococcus faecium: pH studies and chemical modification; Williams JW et al.; The variation with pH of the kinetic parameters associated with dihydrofolate reductase from Streptococcus faecium has been used to gain information about the chemical mechanism of the reaction catalyzed by the enzyme . The pH dependence of log V/K for dihydrofolate showed that a group with a pK value of 4.7 must be ionized and that a group with a pK value of 6.6 must be protonated for activity . Temperature and solvent perturbation studies indicate that these groups are probably the carboxyls of the glutamate moiety of dihydrofolate and of an aspartate residue on the enzyme, respectively . The similarity of the pH profile and the magnitude of the pK value for the linear competitive inhibitor 2,4-diaminopteridine suggest that the carboxyl group is concerned with the binding of dihydrofolate and its analogues to the enzyme . This conclusion is confirmed by the result that a group with a pK value of 6.7 must be protonated for the binding of methotrexate . It is proposed that the binding involves the formation with N-5 of dihydrofolate or N-1 of methotrexate of a hydrogen bond which has considerable ionic character and which lies within a hydrophobic environment . Further, it is suggested that the same hydrogen acts as an auxiliary catalyst which facilitates hydride transfer from NADPH to dihydrofolate for its conversion to tetrahydrofolate . Evidence to support this suggestion comes from the finding that the V profile is similar to the V/K profile except that the pK of the group which must be protonated for maximum enzyme activity is shifted upward by about 2 pH units . Such an increase in a pK value is consistent with the formation of a hydrogen ionic bond in the ternary enzyme-NADPH-dihydrofolate complex . The results of inactivation experiments with trinitrobenzenesulfonate appear to indicate that a lysine residue is necessary to maintain the enzyme in its active conformation.

Lancet, 1981 Oct 10, 2(8250), 771 - 3
Multiply resistant pneumococcus causing meningitis: its epidemiology within a day-care centre; Radetsky MS et al.; An 11 month-old infant had meningitis caused by a strain of Streptococcus pneumoniae, serotype 6b, resistant to penicillin, chloramphenicol, and several other antimicrobials . The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) by agar dilution were 1.0 microgram/ml for penicillin and 16 microgram/ml for chloramphenicol . The infant did not respond to high-dose intravenous penicillin G but was cured by a combination of ampicillin, chloramphenicol, and rifampicin . At the infant's day-care centre this multiply resistant strain was isolated from throat cultures of 27% of the children (age less than or equal to 26 months) assigned to the same room as the index case, and from 11% of older children and staff . There was a 33% carriage rate in family contacts of colonised children . Antibiotic use during the previous 2 months was more frequent among the carriers than among non-carriers . No resistant pneumococci were found in on hundred and twenty-five children and staff in six other Denver day-care centres, in 300 consecutive routine throat cultures processed by our clinical microbiology laboratory, or among 150 pneumococcal isolates collected from Denver area hospitals . The carriers were not treated, and there have been no other cases of infection due to this strain . The emergence of multiply resistant pneumococci in the United States indicates the need to screen important pneumococcal isolates for resistance to both penicillin and chloramphenicol, especially in cases of meningitis.

J Toxicol Environ Health, 1981 Oct, 8(4), 559 - 74
Effects of exposure to peroxyacetyl nitrate on susceptibility to acute and chronic bacterial infection; Thomas GB et al.; A significant increase in mortality due to acute respiratory pneumonia caused by inhalation of Streptococcus pyogenes aerosol was seen after a single 3-h exposure of mice to 14.8-28.4 mg/m3 peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) . The excess mortality ranged from 8 to 39% and the decrease in survival time from 2.4 to 7.9 d . A single exposure to 25.0 mg/m3 PAN resulted in a significant increase in total number of cells lavaged from the lungs but somewhat decreased levels of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in alveolar macrophages . Exposure to 7.4 mg/m3 PAN for 3 h/d, 5 d/wk, for 2 wk resulted in a reduced total count of free pulmonary cells and a significant reduction of ATP levels in alveolar macrophages but had no effect on mortality or survival rate . Scanning electron microscopic observations of the respiratory tract after both single and multiple exposures to PAN showed raised and sloughing nonciliated cells in the nasal cavities and tracheas and presence of excess mucus . Six daily 3-h exposures to 25.0 mg/m3 PAN did not produce any marked changes in a chronic respiratory infection in mice as measured by Mycobacterium tuberculosis lung titers.

Gann, 1981 Oct, 72(5), 692 - 9
Cytotoxic cells induced in tumor-bearing rats by a streptococcus preparation (OK-432); Hojo H et al.; The characteristics of the cytotoxic cells induced by ip injections of an immunoadjuvant, OK-432 (Picibanil), into ACI/N rats bearing syngeneic bladder cancer, BC47, were examined . The cytostatic activity, but not the cytolytic activity, of peritoneal macrophages was augmented when either normal or cancer-bearing rats were treated with OK-432 . In contrast, the plastic nonadherent cells of the peritoneal exudate cells from OK-432-treated cancer bearing rats, but not lymph node cells or spleen cells, killed all ACI/N rat bladder cancers tested as well as ACI/N rat hepatoma cells and Meth-A mouse sarcoma cells . The plastic nonadherent cells from OK-432-treated normal rats also killed hepatoma cells and Meth-A cells, but not bladder cancer cells . The cytolytic cells that were induced in cancer-bearing rats by OK-432 treatment and showed cytolytic activity specific for bladder cancer were found to be sensitive to anti-rat thymocyte serum and complement, nylon-adherent, and Fc receptor-negative . The cells that showed nonselective cytolytic activity were nylon-adherent and insensitive to anti-rat thymocyte serum and complement.

J Pediatr Surg, 1981 Oct, 16(5), 717 - 24
The effect of partial splenectomy on experimental pneumococcal bacteremia in an animal model; Okinaga K et al.; The effect of total and partial splenectomy on the blood stream clearance of type 23B Streptococcus pneumoniae was studied in chinchillas 2 wk and 2 mo following surgery to determine the amount of splenic tissue necessary for protection against overwhelming sepsis . Significantly more pneumococci were found in the blood of totally splenectomized chinchillas than in the blood of sham-operated animals throughout the 6-hr sampling period after intravenous inoculation of pneumococci . Animals that had two-thirds of their spleen removed demonstrated a significant delay in clearance of pneumococci compared with sham-operated and hemisplenectomized animals . The rate of pneumococcal clearance was similar for the sham-operated and the hemisplenectomized group, and was significantly prolonged but similar among totally splenectomized and two-thirds splenectomized animals . Pneumococcal opsonic activity was reduced only in the sera of totally splenectomized chinchillas 2 mo after surgery . There was no positive relationship between pneumococcal clearance and change in pneumococcal opsonic activity . These results suggest that the impaired clearance of circulating pneumococci in splenectomized animals is due to the loss of splenic reticuloendothelial cells as a mechanical filter, rather than deficient serum opsonic activity . There appears to be a critical splenic mass required for optimal bacterial clearance, and hemisplenectomy may protect against overwhelming postsplenectomy sepsis.

Ann Thorac Surg, 1981 Oct, 32(4), 347 - 50
Early operative intervention in aortic bacterial endocarditis; Prager RL et al.; Since 1974, 14 patients have required valve replacement for native aortic valve bacterial endocarditis at Vanderbilt University Medical Center . There were 7 male and 7 female patients ranging from 11 to 65 years old . Nine of the patients were less than 27 years old . All patients had congestive heart failure as a complication of the bacterial endocarditis and were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) Functional Class III or IV . Two patients were seen initially with arrhythmias, 3 had episodes of septic emboli, and 1 patient was operated on immediately after sustaining a cardiac arrest . Echocardiogram was utilized in 9 patients, and cardiac catheterization was performed in 6 patients who were suspected to have concomitant mitral valve or coronary artery disease . All patients were operated on within two weeks after the institution of antibiotic therapy, and there were no operative or early postoperatively deaths . Preoperative blood cultures were positive in 13 patients, with streptococcus cultured in 6 patients and staphylococcus in 4 . Escherichia coli and enterococcus were the other pathogens cultured . All patients received antibiotics intravenously for a total of six weeks . There has been 1 late postoperative death, which occurred 2 months following operation in a patient with myocardial failure unresponsive to treatment . Two patients underwent reoperation, 1 because of a persistent aorto-right ventricular fistula and the second because of paraprosthetic aortic regurgitation . Nine patients are now in NYHA Functional Class I and 4 are in Class II.

Arch Dis Child, 1981 Oct, 56(10), 775 - 8
Changing blood culture isolates in a referral neonatal intensive care unit; Battisti O et al.; An analysis was made of all cases of bacteraemia that had occurred in the referral neonatal intensive care unit at Hammersmith Hospital during the years 1976--79 . One hundred and thirteen infants had positive blood cultures; 27 were born in the hospital, and 86 admitted from elsewhere . This gave a rate of 5.7/1000 live hospital births, and 165/1000 outborn admissions to the unit . The latter infants were predominantly of very low birthweight or were ill . Thirty-three of the isolates were cultured in the first 48 hours of life (early) and the remaining 80 after that time (later) . Staphylococcus epidermidis was the organism most often isolated both early and later . These results were different from those recorded in the previous 9 years (1967--75) from the same unit . Then, group B beta-haemolytic streptococcus was the organism most often isolated early, while Gram-negative bacteria predominated among later isolates . The changing nature of care may contribute to these findings.

Infect Immun, 1981 Oct, 34(1), 55 - 61
Effect of immunization on the genesis of pneumococcal endocarditis in rabbits; Adler SW 2nd et al.; The effect of immunization with whole organisms on the development of Streptococcus pneumoniae endocarditis was examined by in vivo and in vitro methods . Immunization protected rabbits from pneumococcal endocarditis when the in vivo catheterization model was used . The inoculum size that caused endocarditis in 50% of the unimmunized rabbits was 1.1 X 10(5) colony-forming units, whereas 1.2 X 10(7) colony-forming units were required for infecting 50% of the immunized rabbits (P less than 0.001) . Investigations were carried out to determine the mechanism which enabled immunization to prevent the development of pneumococcal endocarditis; they indicated that a reduction in bacterial adherence could not explain this phenomenon . In vitro studies showed that subagglutinating quantities of antibody increased the adherence (P less than 0.05) of pneumococci to rabbit aortic valve cusps . The adherence ratio of pneumococci to fibrin-platelet clots was at least doubled by the presence of subagglutinating dilutions of immune sera (P less than 0.001) . Further studies showed that immunoglobulin G in the immune sera accounted for this increased in vitro adherence . However, further in vivo studies showed that immunized rabbits were able to clear live pneumococci from their bloodstreams within 4.5 h, whereas unimmunized rabbits failed to clear the organism within 24 h.

J Nutr, 1981 Oct, 111(10), 1780 - 3
Effect of suboptimal zinc nutrition during gestation and lactation on rat molar tooth composition and dental caries; Cerklewski FL; The main objective of this study was to determine the relationship between zinc content of teeth and susceptibility to dental caries . Pregnant albino rats were fed a purified diet containing 8, 15 or 30 ppm zinc throughout gestation and lactation . Food intake of all rats was restricted to that consumed by the lowest zinc group . At day 20 of lactation, pups were weaned to a high sucrose, caries-promoting diet and orally innoculated with streptococcus mutans . Dams consuming the lowest zinc-containing diet exhibited a mild zinc deficiency as evidenced by reductions in gestational weight gain and zinc content of milk, serum and tibia when compared to other groups . All offspring survived . Pups originating from the lowest zinc group had significantly less zinc in molar enamel and dentin fractions compared to other groups at the end of a 30-day caries test period, but tibia zinc was essentially equal . This apparent pre-eruptive reduction in zinc content of enamel and dentin of offspring was associated with significantly greater dental caries score on the buccal surface . This suggests that moderate dietary zinc deficiency is sufficient to reduce the pre-eruptive zinc content of both enamel and dentin and to increase dental caries.

J Infect Dis, 1981 Oct, 144(4), 312 - 8
Epidemiologic studies of Streptococcus pneumoniae in infants: antibody response to nasopharyngeal carriage of types 3, 19, and 23; Gray BM et al.; The relationship between nasopharyngeal carriage of Streptococcus pneumoniae types 3, 19, and 23 and the development of homotypic serum antibody was examined in 17 infants followed prospectively from birth . Serially drawn sera from these children and single serum samples from 18 normal adolescents were assayed for opsonizing antibody using reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium to measure phagocytosis of killed whole pneumococci . Selected sera were also tested for quantitative antibody level by a radioimmunoassay, which correlated quite well with the nitroblue tetrazolium assay . All but one of the adolescents had antibody to type 19, and all 18 had antibody to type 23 . None of the 12 infants tested for antibody to type 19 pneumococci showed evidence of an antibody response . Two of 10 infants responded to type 23 pneumococci, as did two of three infants tested to type 3 pneumococci.

Scand J Dent Res, 1981 Oct, 89(5), 366 - 73
Spontaneous aggregation of streptococcus mitis ATCC 903; Abaas S et al.; Glucose or sucrose grown cells of Streptococcus mitis ATCC 903 bind spontaneously to the surface of each other producing visible microbial aggregates upon incubation in 10 mM phosphate, citrate-phosphate or tris-maleate buffers . Aggregation was delayed and proceeded at a slower rate when bacteria grown in a culture medium with a low carbohydrate/nitrogen ratio were used . Growth in this culture medium resulted in carbohydrate limitation . The aggregation was highly reproducible and was unaffected by pH in the range of 4.4-7.0 but was decreased at pH 8.0 and completely inhibited at pH 9.0 . No inhibition of the reaction was observed when a series of simple and complex carbohydrates were added . There was no significant difference in the rate of aggregation at 20, 30 and 37 degrees C . Aggregation occurred at a demonstrable rate of 0 degrees . Chloramphenicol did not inhibit aggregation . Since inhibition of aggregation was obtained by treatment of bacteria with trypsin or heat it appears that protein of glycoprotein components on the bacterial surface were involved in the reaction.

Kardiologiia, 1981 Oct, 21(10), 80 - 4
{Antibodies to polysaccharides of group A Streptococcus in the sera of patients with myocarditis}; Vinogradov AV et al.; Antibodies to polysaccharide of streptococcus of group A (A-polysaccharide) were studied in the sera of 95 patients with myocarditis and 105 patients of the control group (congenital heart disease, angina pectoris of effort) . In myocarditis patients were found in 51 (52.7%) out of 95 cases (group I); antibodies to A-polysaccharide were absent in 44 (46.3%) of cases (group II) . In the control group antibodies were found in 32 (30.4%) out of 105 patients . The number of sera with high level of antibodies to A-polysaccharide is greater in the group of patients with myocarditis, than in the control group (50,98 and 37.5%, respectively) . Determination of antibodies to A-polysaccharide can be used as one of the methods for aetiological diagnosis of myocarditis.

Infect Immun, 1981 Oct, 34(1), 20 - 5
Serum antibody and opsonic responses after immunization with pneumococcal vaccine in kidney transplant recipients and controls; Bortolussi R et al.; We immunized 31 renal transplant patients and 6 control subjects with a pneumococcal vaccine containing 14 capsular polysaccharides . Antibody levels to Streptococcus pneumoniae types 3 and 6A were measured by a radioimmunoassay, and opsonic activity to S . pneumoniae types 3 and 6B was determined by using a luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence phagocytic assay on serum samples obtained before and 1 month after immunization . There was a 10.2-fold and a 2.9-fold increase in antibody to S . pneumoniae type 3 (P less than 0.005) and type 6A (P less than 0.01), respectively, but only a 1.3-fold (P greater than 0.05) and 1.1-fold (P greater than 0.05) increase in opsonic activity . For S . pneumoniae type 3, changes in opsonic activity correlated well with antibody concentration (P less than 0.05) . However, for S . pneumoniae type 6, these two tests correlated poorly (P greater than 0.05) . This poor correlation suggests that concentrations of antibody to type 6A polysaccharide which are achieved after immunization may not be opsonically active in vitro against S . pneumoniae type 6B.

Scand J Dent Res, 1981 Oct, 89(5), 374 - 83
Extracellular polysaccharides of smooth and rough variants of Streptococcus salivarius; Kelstrup J; Some, but not all strains of Streptococcus salivarius were demonstrated to occur in smooth (S) and rough (R) variants, growing in distinctly different colonies on sucrose-containing agar plates . Sucrose-derived extracellular polysaccharides (EP) of NCTC 8606, ATCC 9759 S and R, ATCC 13419 S and R, 1A S and R, and Tove S and R were isolated, purified, and chemically studied . Extracellular enzymes of R variants yielded more water-insoluble than soluble material, while the opposite was true for S variants . The insoluble material consisted mainly of glucan, the soluble mainly of levan . Enzymatic hydrolysis suggested a predominance of alpha-1,3-linkages in the water-insoluble glucan . Cell-associated enzymes gave rise to cell-associated and -free EP . The cell-associated EP of S variants was insoluble, while that of R variants contained water-insoluble glucan and water-soluble fructan . Cells coated with cell-associated EP flocculated due to interaction of the EP, mainly by hydrogen bonding, in part by divalent cation bridging . The sucrose-derived EP gave rise to plaque deposit formation in sucrose broth cultures, S variant deposits being thin and firmly adherent to glass, R variant deposits being thick, rough, coherent, but only weakly adherent . The variant types were not altered by the curing agents ethidium bromide and acridine orange.

Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol, 1981 Oct, 52(4), 379 - 83
Bacterial endocarditis . A retrospective study of cases admitted to the University of Alabama Hospitals from 1969 to 1979; Thornton JB et al.; A retrospective study was conducted at the University of Alabama in Birmingham Medical Center on patients diagnosed as having BE from the years 1969 to 1979, with emphasis on dental involvement . A major finding of this report revealed that 16 percent of the cases of BE had a history of recent dental care or pathology . Other results of this investigation included the following: (1) Streptococcus viridans was the predominant microorganism associated with BE; (2) the mortality rate relative to predisposing heart disease was highest for patients with prosthetic heart valves; (3) chronic valvular heart disease was the heart problem most susceptible to BE; (4) chronically abscessed teeth and periodontal disease may be initiating factors of BE.

J Dent Res, 1981 Oct, 60(10), 1809 - 14
Comparative effect of SnF2, NaF, and SnCl2 on the growth of Streptococcus mutans; Mayhew RR et al.; The inhibitory effects of NaF, SnF2, and SnCl2 were compared in vitro on the growth of Streptococcus mutans NCTC No . 10449 . Sodium fluoride arrested growth at 300 and 600 ppm F (while SnF2 suppressed the rate of growth at 75 ppm F), showed some bactericidal activity at 150 and 300 ppm F, and was totally bactericidal at 600 ppm F . The greater inhibition by SnF2 suggests an additive effect of SN2+ . As a measure of a fluoride-free Sn2+ solution, SnCl2 was inappropriate since most of the tin present, at a neutral pH, was Sn4+ . The influence of pH was particularly noteworthy with SnF2 at 600 ppm F, where a total bactericidal effect was observed within four h at pH 5.9, while viable cells were still recoverable from four to 40 h with SnF2 at pH 7.2.

Br Med J (Clin Res Ed), 1981 Sep 26, 283(6295), 819 - 21
Microbiology of pyogenic liver abscess; Moore-Gillon JC et al.; Sixteen patients with pyogenic liver abscesses were studied over 10 years to discover the causative organisms of the condition . Pus was subjected to Gram-negative smear or gas-liquid chromatography to detect volatile acids characteristic of anaerobes and then cultured . All isolates were identified by conventional methods and tested for sensitivity to appropriate antimicrobial agents . Bacteria were grown from the liver abscesses in all 16 patients . Streptococcus milleri Lancefield group F was the commonest organism isolated from the pyogenic liver abscesses, being found in 13 patients . If Strep milleri is isolated care should be taken not to mistake it for an anaerobe, and finding the organism in the blood should alert the clinician to the possible presence of a liver abscesses.

An Esp Pediatr, 1981 Sep, 15(3), 264 - 77
{Pediatric retroperitoneal iliac abscesses (author's transl)}; Nunez R et al.; 11 cases of retroperitoneal iliac abscesses are reported in patients under seven years of age . Causes have been: sepsis in 2 cases, lumbar traumatism in 1, perforation of the iliac vein in 1, pararenal abscess in 1, following debridement of iliac adenitis in one child and by appendicular mass in another case . The etiology was unknown in the remaining cases . Gram positive germs such as Staphylococcus and Streptococcus predominated in the exudate cultures . The most important clinical manifestations have been: fever, painful mobilization of the psoas, pain in the iliac fossa, limping and antiallergic scoliosis . Among radiological findings obliteration of the psoas line, mass in the iliac fossa, ureteral displacement and vesical compression were the most outstanding . Breathing x-rays and echography were diagnostic procedures in our cases . Diagnosis and differential diagnosis are commented, together with treatment . Authors consider that surgical debridement and drainage and administration of antibiotics are the ideal therapeutical procedures in these processes.

Am J Med Sci, 1981 Sep-Oct, 282(2), 91 - 3
Septic arthritis of the sternoclavicular joint due to gram-positive microorganisms; Friedman RS et al.; Infectious arthritis of the sternoclavicular (SC) joint is a known complication of intravenous drug abuse . Most reported cases have been caused by gram-negative microorganisms . Patients with this form of septic arthritis usually have protracted illnesses and require both medical and surgical, therapy . During 18 months we saw four cases of SC septic arthritis cause by gram-positive microorganisms . Three cases were related to heroin use and Staphylococcus aureus was the causative organisms . Streptococcus pneumoniae was isolated in the remaining patient . All patients had the abrupt onset of SC joint swelling and tenderness as the initial complaint and all responded favorably to appropriate intravenous drug therapy.

J Dairy Sci, 1981 Sep, 64(9), 1843 - 51
Modified excised teat model for laboratory screening of teat dips; Hall PA et al.; Because of numerous indigenous microorganisms on excised teats that interfere with enumeration of challenge cultures on nonselective media, a series of experiments used various physical and chemical treatments to reduce overall numbers . Physical treatments of teats included autoclaving at 121 degrees C for 15 min, boiling in distilled water for 10 min, and heating by microwaves for 2 min . Chemical treatments included exposing teats to various concentrations of sodium hypochlorite, hydrogen peroxide, iodophor disinfectant, and combinations of the three . All treatments were unsuitable . Selective and differential media were screened for their ability to restrict bacterial contamination from excised teats while maintaining good recovery of Streptococcus agalactiae . Edwards and NPC agars were superior for recovery of S . agalactiae . Four methods for recovery of S . agalactiae from excised teats were evaluated . Hand agitation of teats in neutralizer and stomaching teats in neutralizer were equally superior to swabbing teats and rinsing teats with neutralizer expelled from a syringe . Studies of elapsed time demonstrated that 1 min or less between challenge exposure and teat dip exposure was just as suitable and more expedient than 5 min.

Arch Otolaryngol, 1981 Sep, 107(9), 532 - 9
Recurrent pneumococcal otitis media in the chinchilla . A longitudinal study; Marshak G et al.; To define the relative importance of the local and systemic immune mechanisms in otitis media, middle ear infections were induced in 47 chinchillas by unilateral intrabullar inoculation of Streptococcus pneumoniae type 6A . Bacterial challenges were repeated ipsilaterally or contralaterally several times during the five-month course of the study . The middle ear condition was assessed with the use of otomicroscopy, tympanometry, and direct inspection and culture through a bullar opening . Pneumococcal 6A antibodies were assayed periodically in the serum and middle ear effusions . The concentration levels of serum antibodies did not correlate with the course of otitis media, and antibiotics did not protect either the ipsilateral or contralateral ear from infection . There was a minimal number of bacteria that rendered the middle ear resistant to subsequent infection . This resistance was a local phenomenon and occurred only when the middle ear had previously been exposed to the same bacteria.

Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol, 1981 Sep, 12(3), 183 - 7
The upper vaginal and cervical anaerobic flora in menopausal women; Blum M et al.; The upper vaginal and cervical bacterial flora, especially the anaerobic one which has a particular role in postoperative morbidity, was studied in 78 menopausal women between 48 and 78 yr of age . The aim of the present study was to compare the results obtained with those reported for bacterial flora in women of other age groups . The patients were divided into the following 3 groups . (I) Twenty-eight healthy women with a natural menopause; (II) 30 women, 2-6 mth after surgical menopause due to panhysterectomy; and (III) 20 menopausal women 3 mth after vaginal hysterectomy . 30.7% of the cultures were found to be sterile . The anaerobic bacteria, developed only in the presence of aerobic germs, represented 11.5% of the total number of cultures and was found to be formed by Streptococcus bacteroides sp . and Bacteroides fragilis . The vaginal flora of menopausal women is not different from that found in children, young women, in pregnancy or postpartum . The anaerobic germs isolated in our study are normal inhabitants of the vagina and cervix which may occasionally become pathogens.

J Biol Buccale, 1981 Sep, 9(3), 203 - 17
Ultrastructural location of Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sanguis antigens in carious human dentine; Ackermans F et al.; The ultrastructural localization of bacterial antigens of Streptococcus sanguis and of the various serotypes a,b,c,d,e,f and g of Streptococcus mutans was studied in human carious dentine using the indirect peroxidase-antiperoxidase method with appropriate controls . No positive staining was seen in adjacent normal dentine . In the inner dentine underlying the cytoplasm of fibroblasts and Schwann cells of unmyelinated nerve fibrils . In sclerosed tubules, or on the plasmalemma of the odontoblast process or on both structures . Only in the odontoblast, facing the carious cone, were dense stainings noted in vacuoles of various sizes located in the Golgi apparatus in juxta-nuclear position and in their odontoblast processes . In pulpal regions, underlying the carious cone, dense vacuoles were also observed in the cytoplasm of fibroblasts and Schwann cells of unmyelinated nerve fibrils . In sclerosed tubules, electron dense deposits were noted in the lumen and the walls of the calcified tubules . In the outer carious dentine, invaded by micro-organisms, positive antigenic stainings were observed in the cell wall and capsular material of a great number of micro-organisms as well as in the interbacterial matrix.

Infect Immun, 1981 Sep, 33(3), 862 - 9
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of type A streptococcal exotoxin: kinetics and regulation during growth of Streptococcus pyogenes; Houston CW et al.; We describe the detection and quantitation of type A streptococcal exotoxin (erythrogenic toxin, streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin) by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay . This sensitive and specific technique detected microgram amounts of type A exotoxin and was useful for studying the kinetics and regulation of type A exotoxin production during the growth of Streptococcus pyogenes NY5 . Maximum production of type A exotoxin was observed during the mid-log phase of growth, similar to the production of other streptococcal extracellular products . When S . pyogenes NY5 was grown at 42 degrees C, decreases in both growth and type A exotoxin production were observed . The results obtained when we studied the influence of nutrient additives and metal ions on the production of type A exotoxin led to the conclusion that none of these factors significantly affected type A exotoxin synthesis and that regulation was constitutive.

Infect Immun, 1981 Sep, 33(3), 714 - 24
Participation of immunoglobulins and complement components in the intracellular killing of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli by human granulocytes; Leijh PC et al.; Immunoglobulins and complement components are required for optimal ingestion and optimal killing of microorganisms by granulocytes . The degree of opsonization of microorganisms necessary for their ingestion was lower than that required for the killing of these bacteria during the ingestion phase . Killing during this phase was found to depend mainly on the presence of heat-labile opsonins, probably C3b, present on the microorganisms . Extracellular immunoglobulin G (IgG) and C3b were indispensable for optimal intracellular killing after ingestion was complete . This was established with an assay permitting assessment of the course of the number of viable intracellular bacteria independent of the ingestion of new live bacteria . Maximal intracellular killing by human granulocytes of ingested catalase-positive (Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli) or catalase-negative (Streptococcus pyogenes and S . pneumoniae) microorganisms was found only when fresh serum was present extracellularly . Killing was suboptimal in the absence of serum . With heat-inactivated serum, the killing index lay between the indices obtained in the presence and absence of fresh serum . The stimulatory activity of heat-inactivated serum was most probably due to the interaction of IgG with the Fc receptor on the granulocyte membrane, since IgG subclasses IgG1 and IgG3 as well as pFc fragments of IgG stimulated the intracellular killing to the same degree as heat-inactivated serum did . In addition, (Fab1)2 fragments of IgG did not stimulate killing, and reduced killing was observed in the presence of heat-inactivated serum after reduction of the number of Fc receptors . The extra stimulation of the killing process in the presence of fresh serum compared with heat-inactivated serum was due to the interaction between membrane receptors and complement--most probably C3b generated by both the classical and the alternative pathways of complement activation . This conclusion is based on results obtained with sera in which one or both complement pathways were blocked, on the restoration of the killing-stimulatory activity of C3-deficient serum after addition of fresh C3, and on the reduced killing observed in the presence of fresh serum after reduction of the number of C3 receptors by the use of pronase or antigranulocyte serum.

Histopathology, 1981 Sep, 5(5), 469 - 90
The pathology of mesangial IgA nephritis with clinical correlation; Sinniah R et al.; Of 710 patients in whom renal biopsies with immunofluorescence, light and electron microscopic and clinical data were available, 239 had idiopathic mesangial IgA nephritis . In these 239 cases IgA was found alone in 45.7%, accompanied by IgG in 50.1%, IgM in 21.4%, C3 in 82.4% and fibrin in 37.2% . Serum immunoglobulin levels including IgA were not significantly raised and complement C3 activation was via the alternative pathway . There was a wide range of glomerular lesions with minor change, minor change with focal and segmental lesions including sclerosis and mesangial cell hypercellularity, diffuse mesangial cell proliferation and, infrequently, diffuse sclerosing glomerulonephritis . The glomerular leions were related to the stage, duration and severity of the disease . There was also a wide variability of clinical presentations, with asymptomatic and symptomatic microscopic haematuria-proteinuria, macroscopic haematuria, recurrent proteinuria, nephrotic syndrome, acute nephritis, hypertension, and uncommonly as acute renal failure and potassium losing nephritis . No aetiological agent was found, and both the streptococcus and HBsAg could not be identified . The disease(s) was the commonest type of primary glomerulonephritis (33.7%) in Singapore, another geographic area in addition to Japan and France, where this lesion has an apparent high incidence.

J Dent Res, 1981 Sep, 60(9), 1707 - 12
Effects of exogenous insoluble glucan primer on insoluble glucan synthesis by Streptococcus mutans; Fukushima K et al.; The effects of exogenous glucans on WIG synthesis by S . mutans were investigated by turbidimetric measurement . The rapid synthesis of WIG by an enzyme preparation from PS-14 culture fluid proceeded after a lag period of several min . The addition of exogenous WIG, which was previously prepared using the PS-14 enzyme, caused a marked reduction of the lag period with little change in the reaction rate . The length of lag period was affected by the concentrations of WIG primer, enzyme and salts, and the reaction pH . The WIGs from other strains and the periodate-treated WIGs also exhibited effects similar to the PS-14 glucan . In contrast, dextran, starch, dextrin, laminarin, cellulose, chitin, and inulin were without any effect . These results suggest that such lag-reducing effect is specific to glucans containing a significant amount of alpha-(1 leads to 3) linkages.

Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg {A}, 1981 Sep, 250(3), 277 - 86
{Isolation and characterization of erythrogenic toxins of Streptococcus pyogenes 3 . communication: comparative studies of type A erythrogenic toxins (author's transl)}; Gerlach D et al.; The production of type A erythrogenic toxin was determined in 11 strains of Streptococcus pyogenes (serological group A) . All strains produced this toxin, at quantities varying between 16 mg/l (strain "Smith") and 0.03 mg/l (strain T18) . The erythrogenic toxins of 5 strains were purified by adsorption to silicate, elution, precipitation with ammonium sulfate, treatment with calcium phosphate, CM-Sepharose chromatography and gel filtration on Sephacryl S200 . The preparations were found to be homogenous in SDS electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing (m.w . between 27 000 an 28 000; i.p . 52) . They were serologically identical by immunodiffusion (Ouchterlony), and no spur formation was seen with crude concentrates of the toxins produced by the remainder of the strains.

Biochemistry, 1981 Aug 4, 20(16), 4511 - 8
Conformational aspects critical to the immunospecificity of the type III group B streptococcal polysaccharide; Jennings HJ et al.; Immunization of rabbits with group B type III streptococcus organisms induces two distinct populations of antibodies with a specificity for determinants on the native capsular polysaccharide antigen of these organisms . Some of the structural and conformational features of the two determinants responsible for the formation of these antibodies were elucidated by (13)C NMR and serological studies on the native type III polysaccharide and some of its structurally modified analogues . The specificity of the determinant corresponding to the major population of antibodies is dependent of the presence of sialic acid residues on the native type III antigen, and although these residues are not an integral part of the determinant, they exert conformational control over it . The carboxylate groups of the sialic acid residues are an important factor in this control mechanism which could possibly involve intramolecular hydrogen bonding . The terminal sialic acid residues control the orientation of the penultimate beta-d-galactopyranose residues with respect to the backbone of the native antigen . The orientation of these residues is critical to the determinant because the determinant is probably small and is located precisely at the junction of the same beta-d-galactopyranose residues with the backbone of the native type III antigen . The determinant corresponding to the other population of antibodies is not sialic acid dependent . This determinant is located on the backbone of the native antigen in the vicinity of the other determinant but on the opposite side to the oligosaccharide branches . In this position, its conformation is unaffected even by the removal of the oligosaccharide branches from the native antigen.

J Gen Microbiol, 1981 Aug, 125(Pt 2), 347 - 55
Reproducible pyrolysis-gas chromatography of micro-organisms with solid stationary phases and isothermal oven temperatures; French GL et al.; Eight solid stationary phases were examined for their suitability for pyrolysis-gas chromatography (Py-GC) of micro-organisms . With temperature programming these phases offered little advantage over the traditional liquid phase Carbowax 20M, but at an isothermal analysis temperature of 100 degrees C their use solved many technical problems . Pyrograms were produced containing small numbers of baseline-resolved peaks which eluted within 8 to 25 min . Four to six specimens per hour could be examined with two pyrolysers attached to one chromatograph oven . When a control organism was used to derive normalized results, pyrograms were reproducible with a second column and a second pyrolyser, suggesting that inter-laboratory reproducibility may be possible . Five different bacterial genera were well discriminated and some differentiation was achieved between different isolates of Streptococcus mutans, but similarity between pyrograms with was unrelated to orthodox taxonomic grouping . The best discrimination was achieved with Chromosorb 104, followed by Chromosorb 101 and Tenax-GC . With solid phases and isothermal oven temperatures Py-GC is a promising technique for microbial identification.

J Antibiot (Tokyo), 1981 Aug, 34(8), 1026 - 32
Antibacterial activity of DL 473, a new semisynthetic rifamycin derivative; Arioli V et al.; DL 473, a new semisynthetic rifamycin, was 2-10 times more active in vitro than rifampicin (RAMP) against several clinical isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and only slightly less active than RAMP against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria . It showed excellent therapeutic activity in mice in experimental infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes group A, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Klebsiella pneumoniae . In the experimental TB infection in the mouse DL 473 was clearly more active than isoniazide and RAMP, two of the most effective antitubercular drugs in current use . The LD50 in the mouse was significantly higher than that of RAMP and the half-life was about 5 times longer than that of RAMP.

J Dairy Sci, 1981 Aug, 64(8), 1695 - 9
Effect of fermentation and formalin preservation on the protein component of bovine colostrum; Bush RS et al.; Colostrum was inoculated with Streptococcus lactis or yogurt culture or preserved with .1% (vol/vol) formalin in two separate experiments . All preparations then were stored at ambient temperature for 24 days . With increasing storage time, a larger proportion of the total colostrum nitrogen was not precipitated in 10% (wt/vol) trichloroacetic acid . By day 24, this represented 30 to 35% for the fermented samples and 10 to 15% for the formalin preserved samples . The majority of this nonprecipitable nitrogen was amino acids and small peptides . Most of the nitrogen in colostrum even after 24 days of storage should be nutritionally useful to the calf because even the nonprecipitable portion is amino acids and peptides.

Infect Immun, 1981 Aug, 33(2), 467 - 72
Role of interbacterial adherence in colonization of the oral cavities of gnotobiotic rats infected with Streptococcus mutans and Veillonella alcalescens; McBride BC et al.; The role of interbacterial adherence in the colonization of the rate oral cavity was investigated with aggregating and nonaggregating strains of Veillonella alcalescens and Streptococcus mutans . V . alcalescens V-1 and S . mutans M-7 rapidly formed large stable aggregates when mixed in vitro . Aggregates could be reduced in size by sonication, but they could not be completely dispersed, indicating that bonding between the organisms was strong . V . alcalescens V-1 did not coaggregate with S . mutans C67-1, and V . alcalescens OMZ193 did not coaggregate with either S . mutans strain C67-1 or M-7 . Osborne-Mendel rats monoassociated with either S . mutans C67-1 or M-7 were inoculated with veillonellae, molar teeth were removed at 2 h and at 14 days, and the number of veillonellae was determined . At 2 h post-inoculation there were 600 times as many colony-forming units of V . alcalescens V-1 adherent to the teeth of animals monoassociated with S . mutans M-7 when compared with animals monoassociated with the nonaggregating S . mutans C67-1 . The number of colony-forming units of V . alcalescens V-1 was 1,000 times greater than the number of nonaggregating V . alcalescens OMZ193 in S . mutans M-7-infected animals . Similar results were obtained when teeth were samples 14 days after inoculation . Veillonellae inoculated into the mouths of germfree animals rapidly disappeared from tooth surfaces.

Zentralbl Bakteriol A, 1981 Aug, 249(3), 310 - 22
{Purification and characterization of streptococcal hyaluronate lyase (author's transl)}; Ozegowski JH et al.; Hyaluronate lyase of group C strain H 46A (Streptococcus equisimilis) was purified and characterized by isoelectric focusing, sodium-dodecylsulfate-acrylamide electrophoresis, polyacrylamide-gradient-electrophoresis and crossed immunoelectrophoresis . The purification of the hyaluronate lyase was performed successively by adsorption on Florisil, chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, and - for separation of streptokinase - stirring with CPG-pore-glass . The last step was Sepharose 6B . PUrified hyaluronate lyase showed a high specific activity . The purified enzyme was found to be antigenically homogeneous . No contaminating streptococcal components could be detected . The molecular size was determined as to be 90 000 dalton by gel filtration and 110 000 dalton by sodium dodecylsulfate-acrylamide electrophoresis . The amino acid composition was also determined . In the isoelectric focusing, using gels with reducing conditions, one protein band at a pI 4.95 was observed . Under nonreducing conditions two or three diffuse protein bands which showed lower enzymatic activity were found . It might be possible that the hyaluronate lyase exists in two different forms.

An Esp Pediatr, 1981 Aug, 15(2), 125 - 38
{Microbiological aspects of streptococcal disease (author's transl)}; Mellado Polio A; Some aspects of the streptococcus genera and its relationship with the human streptococcal disease are reviewed . Special reference is made to the relationship of the human disease and the different species and most frequent serotypes.

An Esp Pediatr, 1981 Aug, 15(2), 111 - 24
{Introduction to the study of infant streptococcosis}; Sanchez Villares E; Contributions in the past few years on the knowledge of streptococcus, the changes experienced in the pediatric age in its morbility and mortality and modifications in the clinical picture are pointed out . On the base of current knowledge author makes an attempt of classification of streptococcus . Clinical picture, agent, ambient and host are analyzed, with special mention to the patient's age . Signification of streptococcic sensitization and the usual diagnostic error with rheumatic fever are discussed . Finally a brief on mention is made less mentioned streptococcus.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 1981 Aug, 78(8), 4689 - 93
Streptococcal M protein: alpha-helical coiled-coil structure and arrangement on the cell surface; Phillips GN Jr et al.; The conformation and molecular dimensions of purified type 6 streptococcal M proteins establish the close structural relationship of these molecules to tropomyosin . Ultracentrifuge studies reveal that the M molecules exist as stable dimers; circular dichroism spectra indicate that the molecules contain about 70% alpha helix; and fiber x-ray diffraction diagrams show the characteristic reflections of the alpha-helical pattern . Electron microscopic images of M protein shadowed with platinum reveal rod-shaped molecules having the same width as tropomyosin . However, the lengths of the M molecules are about 30% shorter than lengths predicted by assuming a completely alpha-helical molecule . These findings indicate that the structure of the M6 protein is primarily alpha-helical coiled coil . Comparison of the lengths of the fibers on the surface of the streptococcus and the isolated M proteins suggests that each fiber on the cell wall consists of a single M-protein molecule approximately 500 A long . The structure determined for these fimbriae is the first alpha-helical coiled-coil conformation to be demonstrated for bacterial surface projections.

J Clin Pathol, 1981 Aug, 34(8), 930 - 4
Evaluation of ten commercial blood culture systems to isolate a pyridoxal-dependent streptococcus; Tillotson GS; This study evaluated the ability of ten commercial blood cultures to support the growth of a nutritional variant Streptococcus mitior (pyridoxal-dependent) . The abilities of two established and two new agar formulations are also reported . The dependable isolation of a fastidious streptococcus can best be obtained with fastidious anaerobe broth (FAB) (Lab M Ltd, Ford Lane, Salford) for blood cultures in conjunction with one of the new media . FAB agar with the addition of heated blood was found to support the growth of pyridoxal-dependent Strep mitior and other fastidious organisms.

An Esp Pediatr, 1981 Aug, 15(2), 202 - 36
{Prophylaxis and treatment of streptococcus infections (author's transl)}; Pena J et al.; Authors review and bring up to date problems related to prophylaxis and treatment of streptococcus infections in children . In those caused by the Group A streptococcus, the problem is rather one of medical education and practical application of techniques, and medicines . Active vaccination is still a remote possibility . In the case of streptococcus B and its perinatological incidence, there is still no standard therapeutic prophylaxis covering both the mother and child . With reference to streptococcus D plans proposed are somewhat discordant since it is difficult to carry out studies with sufficiently large groups but there are also proposals which can be carried out perfectly well and are reasonably safe . As far as the infectious, and to a great extent contagious, processes are concerned, measures of individual and collective hygiene are particularly important.

J Oral Pathol, 1981 Aug, 10(4), 269 - 75
Effect of calcium on reactions between a salivary agglutinin and a serotype c strain of Streptococcus mutans; Rundegren J et al.; Using a serotype c strain of Streptococcus mutans we found that the agglutinating activity could be quantitatively absorbed, and desorbed from the micro-organisms by a phosphate buffer . The desorbed agglutinin was found to be inactive in the absence of calcium . Calcium alone did not induce aggregation . At 0.1 mM calcium most of the activity was regained . Other cations could not substitute for calcium . On a molecular basis the ratio between calcium and agglutinin or bacteria is high, in the order of 10(7) and 10(4) respectively.

J Bacteriol, 1981 Aug, 147(2), 543 - 51
Uptake and metabolism of sucrose by Streptococcus lactis; Thompson J et al.; Transport and metabolism of sucrose in Streptococcus lactis K1 have been examined . Starved cells of S . lactis K1 grown previously on sucrose accumulated {14C}sucrose by a phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent phosphotransferase system (PTS) (sucrose-PTS; Km, 22 microM; Vmax, 191 mumol transported min-1 g of dry weight of cells-1) . The product of group translocation was sucrose 6-phosphate (6-O-phosphoryl-D-glucopyranosyl-1-alpha-beta-2-D-fructofuranoside) . A specific sucrose 6-phosphate hydrolase was identified which cleaved the disaccharide phosphate (Km, 0.10 mM) to glucose 6-phosphate and fructose . The enzyme did not cleave sucrose 6'-phosphate(D-glucopyranosyl-1-alpha-beta-2-D-fructofuranoside-6'-phosphate) . Extracts prepared from sucrose-grown cells also contained an ATP-dependent mannofructokinase which catalyzed the conversion of fructose to fructose 6-phosphate (Km, 0.33 mM) . The sucrose-PTS and sucrose 6-phosphate hydrolase activities were coordinately induced during growth on sucrose . Mannofructokinase appeared to be regulated independently of the sucrose-PTS and sucrose 6-phosphate hydrolase, since expression also occurred when S . lactis K1 was grown on non-PTS sugars . Expression of the mannofructokinase may be negatively regulated by a component (or a derivative) of the PTS.

Am J Vet Res, 1981 Aug, 42(8), 1328 - 31
Effect of Streptococcus pneumoniae infection in rats on hepatic water content, electrolyte concentration, and chemical composition; Little JS et al.; Total hepatic water content, dry weight, protein, lipid, carbohydrate, RNA, DNA, and electrolyte concentrations were determined in control and Streptococcus pneumoniae-infected rats . During infection, there was a significant (P = 0.001) increase in total liver weight . This increase was the result of increased total liver water content and increased total liver dry weight . Intracellular water content, diameter of hepatocytes, and all measured constituents of hepatic dry weight, excluding DNA, increased significantly (P varied from 0.05-0.001) during infection . Concentrations of liver Na+ and Cl- increased significantly (P varied from 0.05-0.005), whereas the concentration of liver K+ decreased significantly (P = 0.01) . Seemingly, there is an enlargement of hepatocytes due to increased intracellular water and increased dry weight during pneumococcal infection in the rat . The mechanism of these liver changes may be due, in part, to a shift of Na+ and K+ across liver cell plasma membranes.

J Gen Microbiol, 1981 Aug, 125(Pt 2), 325 - 34
Deficiency of autolytic activity in Bacillus subtilis and Streptococcus pneumoniae is associated with a decreased permeability of the wall; Williamson R et al.; Autolytic-deficient mutants of Bacillus subtilis which grow as chains of non-separated bacilli have been isolated by a procedure involving filtration of mutagenized cultures through glass-sinter filters . The mutants obtained were some 80-90% deficient in both autolysins, N-acetylmuramoyl-L-alanine amidase and endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase . Treatment of one of these mutants with 5 M-LiCl extracted only about 20% of the protein obtained from an equivalent amount of the autolysin-containing bacilli . Similarly, a reduction of 40-60% in LiCl-extractable protein was obtained with autolytic-deficient Streptococcus pneumoniae whether these organisms lacked the autolytic enzyme or were phenotypically deficient by growth in ethanolamine-containing medium . Chromatography on Sephadex G-100 of the protein extracted from B . subtilis and S . pneumoniae revealed that the major difference between autolytic-deficient and parent organisms was a decrease in proteins of high molecular weight . Smaller differences were observed in a second fraction which contained low molecular weight material and proteins such as the autolysins, whose elution from the column was retarded by interaction with the Sephadex . Further examination of the fractionated protein from B subtilis by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis confirmed that the major difference between the extracts was in the amount of protein present and did not result from marked changes in the size of the extracted proteins . These observations suggest that autolysin deficiency in B . subtilis and S . pneumoniae results in a change in the porosity (permeability) of the bacterial wall.

Biochemistry, 1981 Jul 7, 20(14), 3972 - 8
Carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance study of protonation of methotrexate and aminopterin bound to dihydrofolate reductase; Cocco L et al.; Methotrexate, aminopterin, and folate have been synthesized with 90% enrichment of C-2 with 13C . 13C nuclear magnetic resonance has been used to examine the state of protonation of the pteridine ring of these compounds under various conditions and gives much more clear-cut results than most other methods . For the free compounds the following pK values were obtained: methotrexate, 5.73 +/- 0.02 (N-1); aminopterin, 5.70 +/- 0.03 (N-1); folic acid, 2.40 (N-1) and 8.25 +/- 0.05 (N-3, O-4 amide group) . The state of protonation of these compounds when complexed to dihydrofolate reductase (isoenzyme 2 from Streptococcus faecium) was also studied over the pH range 6--10 . The resonance from bound methotrexate showed a constant chemical shift over the whole pH range studied, and it is inferred that in the complex the pteridine ring remains protonated to at least pH 10 . The same result was obtained for the binary complex of aminopterin with the reductase and for either methotrexate or aminopterin in ternary complex with reductase and NADPH4 . The latter is an inhibitor of the reductase competitive with NADPH . However, folate bound to the reductase in either the binary or the ternary complex shows the same protonation behavior as in the free state . The data indicate that the association constant for binding of methotrexate is increased enough when protonation of N-1 occurs to account for the enhanced binding of methotrexate as compared with folate.

Arch Inst Cardiol Mex, 1981 Jul-Aug, 51(4), 319 - 25
{Effect of streptolysin O on the Purkinje fibers of the heart in dogs}; Valenzuela F et al.; Streptolysin "O", an exotoxin of the beta-hemolytic streptococcus, has been shown to have very marked cardiotoxic effects . The data found in the literature suggest that ventricular conducting tissues are severely damaged by this toxin . The purpose of this paper is to study the effects that several concentration of the toxin have on the transmembrane potentials, input resistance and ultrastructure of canine isolate Purkinje fibers . When the preparations were exposed to the toxin, they showed important changes in most of the parameters of the transmembrane potentials . The most important were: a depolarization, a reduction of the amplitude of the action potentials and their upstroke velocities, and a marked shortening of their duration . Input resistance was also markedly decreased . These actions were progressive, until unexcitability was reached . All of the changes observed were irreversible . The ultrastructure of the cells also showed important alterations, mainly at the sarcolemma and mitochondriae . From the results described in this paper, both in terms of the electrophysiological and the morphological effects of streptolysin "O", we can conclude that the cardiotoxic effects of the toxin are due to an effect on the ventricular conducting tissues.

J Anim Sci, 1981 Jul, 53(1), 242 - 52
Degradation of protein by mixed cultures of rumen bacteria: identification of Streptococcus bovis as an actively proteolytic rumen bacterium; Russell JB et al.; Mixed cultures of rumen bacteria were inoculated into anaerobic buffer solutions containing mixed carbohydrates, casein and ammonia, and rates of bacterial growth, protein degradation, ammonia formation or utilization and lactate production were determined . Bacterial growth rate was varied by the provision of excess carbohydrate (one large dose at the onset of the incubation) or limited carbohydrate (small doses every hour or every 2 hr) . When carbohydrate was limited, growth rate was slow, the extent of protein degradation was small and lactate did not accumulate in the fermentation vessels . Lactate production and protein degradation were also negligible during the initial phases of the high carbohydrate, fast growth rate incubations, but large increases in each were seen after 3 hours . Microscopic examination of the fast growth incubations revealed large numbers of small ovoid cells similar to Streptococcus bovis, while tha slow growth incubations exhibited a variety of morophological types and very few small ovoid cells . Because the lactic acid and morphological data suggested that proliferation of S . bovis might be responsible for rapid proteolysis, effects of gram-positive antibiotics were examined . When compared against a fast growth control, both thiopeptin (5 ppm) and monensin (5ppm) were found to decrease protein degradation, but the inhibition by thiopeptin (50%) was greater than that by monensin (13%) . The ratios of protein degraded to bacteria protein synthesized were .659, .362 and .628 for the control, thiopeptin and monensin treatments, respectively . Actively proteolytic strains of S . bovis were isolated from fast growth incubations, and subsequent experiments showed that the ratio of protein degraded to bacterial protein synthesized was approximately 1.50 . Collectively, the data indicate that S . bovis is a very proteolytic rumen bacterium.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1981 Jul, 20(1), 10 - 4
Experimental endocarditis caused by Streptococcus sanguis: single and combined antibiotic therapy; Vicente MV et al.; The effectiveness of penicillin G, fosfomycin, and cefoxitin alone and in combination was studied in vitro and in the treatment of left-sided Streptococcus sanguis endocarditis in rabbits . In vitro, the combinations penicillin G plus fosfomycin, penicillin G plus cefoxitin, and fosfomycin plus cefoxitin were synergistic or partially synergistic for S sanguis . Therapy with the combinations was more effective in eradicating the species from cardiac vegetations that was that with each antibiotic used alone.

Infect Immun, 1981 Jul, 33(1), 1 - 6
Reduction of circulating granulocytes induced by type 1 pneumococcal cell walls in New Zealand white rabbits; Goldblum SE et al.; Granulocytopenia seen during human pneumococcal disease is associated with a worsened prognosis . Streptococcus pneumoniae type 1 reduces circulating granulocytes and induces pulmonary leukostasis in rabbits . We studied which type 1 pneumococcal fraction(s) might be responsible for the reduction in circulating granulocytes . Rabbits were challenged intravenously with nonpyrogenic sterile saline, sonicated type 1 pneumococci, capsular polysaccharide from type 1 pneumococci, or cell walls from type 1 pneumococci . Nonviable pneumococci caused a mean decrease in blood granulocytes of 64% as compared with a mean increase of 124% in saline-injected controls, a difference significant at P less than 0.001 . Pneumococcal cell walls induced significant decreases in circulating granulocytes at all doses tested when compared with saline-injected controls, whereas capsular polysaccharide induced no reduction in granulocytes . On a weight-for-weight basis, cell wall induced significantly more granulocyte reduction than did capsular polysaccharide at doses of either 10 mg (P less than 0.01) or 20 mg (P less than 0.005) . A nonencapsulated pneumococcus also induced a profound granulocyte reduction (mean decrease in blood granulocytes, 88%) in the absence of detectable circulating polysaccharide . The cell wall fraction of S . pneumoniae type 1 was a more effective constituent in promoting the reduction in circulating granulocytes in rabbits.

J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg, 1981 Jul, 82(1), 49 - 57
Improved survival in management of empyema thoracis; Mavroudis C et al.; Empyema thoracis following pneumonia, trauma, and surgical procedures continues to be a source of major morbidity and mortality . We retrospectively reviewed the hospital records of 100 patients treated for empyema thoracis at San Francisco General Hospital during the past 10 years . The causes of empyema in these patients were as follows: pneumonia 44%, trauma 24%, surgical and invasive procedures 15%, lung abscess 11%, and hematogenous spread 6% . Ten patients in this series died of sepsis from necrotizing pneumonia or overwhelming injuries caused by trauma . Streptococcus (31%), Staphylococcus (21%), and Bacteroides (15%) were the organisms most commonly isolated . Bacterial isolates were single in 55%, multiple 42%, and absent in 3% . The type of organism did not correlate with severity of disease or eventual requirement for thoracotomy, pleural debridement, or Eloesser procedure . Successful methods of treatment included aspiration in 9%, tube thoracostomy in 63%, pleural debridement and drainage in 7%, and an Eloesser procedure in 11% . Because our patients were often debilitated from chronic alcoholism, drug addiction, and major trauma, conservative management was initially tried . In most patients empyema resolved with tube thoracostomy . Pleural debridement should be reserved for patients with special problems such as multiple loculation or purulence inaccessible to percutaneous tube placement . the Eloesser procedure is indicated in patients who have an infected residual pleural space that persists despite adequate tube drainage.

J Neurosurg, 1981 Jul, 55(1), 121 - 3
Infarction of the spinal cord as a complication of pneumococcal meningitis . Case report; Haupt HM et al.; Spinal cord infarction in association with pneumococcal meningitis has not been previously recognized . The case is reported of a 5 1/2-year-old boy who had Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis complicated by the sudden onset of flaccid paraplegia and loss of all sensory modalities below the level of T-2 . At operation, the spinal cord was pale and enveloped by dense adhesions, suggesting compromise of the arterial vasculature with concomitant infarction.

J Am Geriatr Soc, 1981 Jul, 29(7), 319 - 21
Nosocomial pneumococcal pneumonia in the elderly; Berk SL et al.; Among 35 elderly patients with transtracheal aspirate (TTA)-documented nosocomial pneumonia, 7 (20 percent) had Streptococcus pneumoniae infection . Clinical and epidemiologic data are reported on these 7 patients and on 2 others with nosocomial pneumococcal pneumonia documented by bacteremia . Malignancy and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were the most common predisposing illnesses . Four of the 9 patients had previously received antibiotic therapy . Gram-negative aerobic pneumonia was found before (2 cases), concomitant with (3 cases), and after (2 cases) the pneumococcal infection in these patients.

J Bacteriol, 1981 Jul, 147(1), 75 - 9
Mode of elongation of the glycerol phosphate polymer of membrane lipoteichoic acid of Streptococcus faecium ATCC 9790; Cabacungan E et al.; Specific degradation of membrane lipoteichoic acid of Streptococcus faecium ATCC 9790 by a phosphodiesterase from Aspergillus niger and by periodate oxidation has demonstrated that the enzymatic synthesis of the glycerol phosphate polymer of the molecule occurs by an external elongation system . Evidence of this type of mechanism was obtained with lipoteichoic acid synthesized in vivo or in vitro by differential radioisotope labeling techniques . The glycerol phosphate repeating units were transferred from phosphatidylglycerol and became linked through a phosphodiester bond to the glycerol phosphate unit of the chain farthest from or most external to the lipid end of the polymer.

Mikrobiyol Bul, 1981 Jul, 15(2), 95 - 7
{Microbiological evaluation of 600 vaginal cultures}; Aksit F et al.; In the Department of Microbiology at the Anadolu University Medical School, 600 vaginal cultures were obtained from the women with vaginal discharge complaints, during the 12 months, in 1979/1980 . 333 out of 600 vaginal cultures (55.5%) were evaluated as normal vaginal flora and 232 out of 600 cultures (38.7%) were evaluated as pathogenic flora . The pathogenic flora microorganisms were pathogenic staphylolococcus (35.8%) Gram negative enteric bacteria (31.4%), candida (30.2%) and beta hemolytic streptococcus (2.6%).

Am J Med Sci, 1981 Jul-Aug, 282(1), 41 - 4
Polymicrobial endocarditis involving Eikenella corrodens; Sobel JD et al.; Two amphetamine abusers had polymicrobial endocarditis involving Eikenella corrodens as one of the infecting organisms . A 26-year-old woman with left-sided endocarditis due to S . aureus and Eikenella corrodens was treated successfully; however, severe mitral regurgitation resulted from the infection . In the second patient, a 29-year-old man with right-sided endocarditis, three organisms were isolated: a hemolytic Streptococcus, a non-hemolytic Streptococcus, and Eikenella corrodens . This is the first report of polymicrobial endocarditis involving Eikenella corrodens, and emphasizes the importance of this organism parenteral amphetamine abusers . Pitfalls in the diagnosis of polymicrobial endocarditis are discussed, with particular reference to the difficulties in the recognition and management of Eikenella valve infections.

Ann Emerg Med, 1981 Jul, 10(7), 356 - 9
Cellulitis: initial management; Fleisher G et al.; Although Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes cause the majority of cellulitis, recent studies have shown a significant role for Hemophilus influenzae in facial, and less frequently, nonfacial infections . We devised an algorithm for the initial management of cellulitis based on our previous investigations showing a correlation of this organism with fever, leukocytosis, and facial involvement . Children were divided into four groups characterized as follows: Group I - extremity, temperature less than 38.5 C; Group II - extremity, temperature greater than 38.5 C, WBC less than 15,000/cu mm; Group III - extremity, temperature greater than 38.5 C, WBC greater than 15,000/cu mm; and Group IV - facial . Forty-five children were successfully followed . There were 34 in Group I, five in Group II, one in Group III, and five in Group IV . Two children in Group IV and the only child in Group III had H influenzae, recovered form the blood (3) or a direct aspirate (1) . All three were febrile, with a range of 39.5 C to 40.1 C and has an elevated white blood cell count with a range of 19,200/cu mm to 26,000/cu mm . With one exception, children with cellulitis not due to H influenzae did not have both fever and leukocytosis . This algorithm allows the clinician to identify children with H influenzae cellulitis who are at risk for septic complications while minimizing unnecessary diagnostic or therapeutic interventions.

J Clin Invest, 1981 Jul, 68(1), 294 - 302
Fractionation and characterization of the immunosuppressive substance in crude extracellular products released by Streptococcus intermedius; Arala-Chaves MP et al.; The noncytotoxic immunosuppressive substance detected in crude extracellular products of Streptococcus intermedius (CEP-SI) was fractionated by two steps of preparative isoelectric focusing in sucrose gradients using ampholytes of pH range from 3.5 to 6 and 4 to 5, respectively . The in vitro and in vivo suppressor effects of the most highly purified fraction of CEP-Si, designated fraction 3' (F3'EP-Si), corresponded well with those of the original CEP-Si . F3'EP-Si was sensitive to the effects of alpha, gamma, and delta chymotrypsin, trypsin, and heating . It contained approximately 1% of the total amount of protein found in the original CEP-Si, corresponding to a single band on analytical isoelectric focusing, stainable by Coomassie Blue and of isoelectric point of 4.25 . The absorption spectrum of F3'EP-Si had a maximum at 260 nm but its biological activity was resistant to deoxyribonuclease and ribonuclease A and it did not contain material stainable by methylene blue . It was also resistant to neuraminidase and did not contain material stainable by periodic acid schiff . We conclude that the substance responsible for the suppressor activity of CEP-Si is a protein of molecular weight approximately 90,000, which adheres to Sephadex of cellulose acetate and forms complexes with other, nonactive constituents of CEP-Si.

Can J Biochem, 1981 Jul, 59(7), 524 - 33
The specific capsular polysaccharide of Streptococcus pneumoniae type 9V; Perry MB et al.; The specific capsular polysaccharide produced by Streptococcus pneumoniae type 9V (American type 68) is composed of D-glucuronic acid (1 part), D-galactose (1 part), 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-mannose (1 part), D-glucose (2 parts), and O-acetyl (1.6 parts) . Methylation, periodate oxidation, optical rotation, and nuclear magnetic resonance studies, and partial hydrolysis showed that the polysaccharide is an unbranched high molecular weight linear polymer of a partially O-acetylated pentasaccharide repeating unit having the structure indicated below . (Formula: see text).

J Immunol, 1981 Jul, 127(1), 231 - 4
Antigen-specific helper factor reacts with antibodies to human beta 2 microglobulin; Lamb JR et al.; Antigen-specific helper factor was induced in vitro from lymphoid cells of monkeys and mice by using an antigen derived from Streptococcus mutans . Helper activity was removed from supernatants of monkey cells by affinity chromatography on Sepharose 4B insolubilized antibodies specific for human beta 2-microglobulin (H beta 2M) prepared in chicken, rabbit and rat, and an insolubilized monoclonal mouse anti-H beta 2M antibody-bound monkey helper factor activity . However, guinea pig antibody to human beta 2M was inactive . In parallel studies, the pattern of absorption of mouse helper factor (HF) was different from that of the monkey in that insolubilized guinea pig anti-H beta 2M bound helper factor, whereas rabbit and monoclonal anti-H beta 2M failed to do so . Although these findings were not compatible with an intact beta 2M chain being present in helper factor, they may imply a cross-reactivity of beta 2M with a "constant region" of helper factor that may share common sequences with beta 2M . This may suggest that factor genes have evolved from the same ancestral genes as beta 2M.

Carbohydr Res, 1981 Jun 16, 93(1), 125 - 33
Inactivation of D-glucosyltransferases from oral Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sanguis by photochemical oxidation; Koga T et al.; Cell-free D-glucosyltransferase of D-glucose-grown Streptococcus mutans AHT was completely inactivated in the presence of 0.002% of Methylene Blue at 25 degrees and pH 7.0 after illumination with a 150-W incandescent lamp . The rate of inactivation was decreased at pH values less than 7.0 . Histidine was the only amino acid residue modified to a significant extent, and the rates of oxidation of histidine residues and loss of enzyme activity closely agreed . Production of both water-insoluble and -soluble D-glucan fractions from sucrose by the oxidized D-glucosyltransferase preparations was significantly inhibited . Photooxidation with 0.002% of Rose Bengal at pH 7.0 or higher also induced complete inactivation of the D-glucosyltransferase . These results strongly suggest that the imidazole portion of histidine may function as part of the active sites of both D-glucosyltransferase isozymes of S . mutans AHT, which are responsible for the synthesis of (1 goes to 3)- and (1 goes to 6)-alpha-D-glucosidic linkages . The D-glucosyltransferases from S . mutans 6715 and AHT-mutant M1, and Streptococcus sanguis ATCC 10558 were also almost completely inactivated by Methylene Blue-sensitized photooxidation.

Zhonghua Min Guo Wei Sheng Wu Ji Mian Yi Xue Za Zhi, 1981 Jun, 14(2), 96 - 101
{The association of Streptococcus mutans with human dental caries (author's transl)}; Chan Y et al.; To investigate association of Streptococcus mutans with human dental caries, 323 adolescent students of Chung Shan Medical & Dental college were examined for decayed missing filled of tooth (DMFT) and then plaques were taken from their first and second upper molar's approximal surface using sterilized dental floss for S . mutans isolation . The result showed that among the 269 caries-active individuals 246 (94.98%) had detectable S . mutans, whereas among the 64 caries-free individuals only 23 (35.93%) were found positive, which showed significant association between plaque levels of S . mutans and dental caries (p less than 0.0001) . Although the value is a little higher than that found in other literatures but has no statistically significant difference.

J Infect Dis, 1981 Jun, 143(6), 836 - 45
Polymorphonuclear leukocyte dysfunction during influenza virus infection in chinchillas; Abramson JS et al.; The increased susceptibility of chinchillas after intranasal inoculation of Streptococcus pneumoniae and influenza A virus to pneumococcal otitis media prompted a study to determine whether infection with influenza virus adversely affects polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMNL) function and thereby impairs host defense . Thirty-four chinchillas were inoculated intranasally with either influenza A virus or sterile saline . The chemotactic, chemiluminescent, and bactericidal activities of the PMNLs were depressed four to eight days after inoculation of the virus compared with the values obtained before inoculation; these activities remained normal in animals inoculated with sterile saline . The maximum reduction in chemotaxis (37%), peak chemiluminescence (53%), and peak bactericidal activity (26%) of the PMNLs was observed on day 6 . Phagocytosis remained normal throughout the period after inoculation . Thus, the susceptibility of chinchillas to pneumococcal disease after inoculation with influenza A virus may be due to the impaired chemotactic and oxidative microbicidal activities of PMNLs.

Pediatr Res, 1981 Jun, 15(6), 899 - 904
Studies on group B beta-hemolytic Streptococcus . II . Effects on pulmonary hemodynamics and vascular permeability in unanesthetized sheep; Rojas J et al.; To study the effects of Group B beta-hemolytic Streptococcus on the pulmonary circulation and lung fluid balance, live and heat-killed bacteria and their toxin were infused into an awake sheep lung-lymph preparation . In every case, the response was biphasic; there was an initial period of marked pulmonary hypertension and high flow of protein-poor lymph associated with tachypnea, chills, and fever . A second phase followed during which pulmonary vascular pressures returned to near baseline and remained stable, but lymph flow remained high . The changes seen in the initial phase resemble the previously reported response to mechanically increased pulmonary vascular pressure and suggest that the increase in fluid filtration is secondary to increased microvascular pressure . During the second phase after toxin infusion, the increase in lung lymph flow was paralleled by an increase in lymph protein clearance . This cannot be accounted for by the hemodynamic changes alone an suggests that the permeability of lung microvascular walls to protein was increased . It is concluded that group B beta-hemolytic streptococcal toxin in the sheep model causes pulmonary hypertension and increased pulmonary vascular permeability.

Pediatr Res, 1981 Jun, 15(6), 892 - 8
Studies on group B beta-hemolytic Streptococcus . I . Isolation and partial characterization of an extracellular toxin; Hellerqvist CG et al.; To initiate an investigation into the biochemistry and mechanism of group B beta-hemolytic Streptococcus virulence, bacterial cultures grown in suspension were centrifuged, and the bacteria and media were subjected to extensive fractionation . Each fraction was assayed for physiologic activity by repeated intravenous infusion into adult unanesthetized sheep . Pulmonary artery pressure, arterial PO2, and rectal temperature were monitored . The media fraction, but not the bacteria, contained a component (molecular weight, 2 x 10(6)) composed of 845 carbohydrate and 16% protein with physiological activity . Two mg quantities, when infused, caused the pulmonary artery pressure to increase 100%, PO2 to decrease by 20% and chills and fever . The active component could be degraded by hot phenol-water extraction into a pure polysaccharide (molecular weight, 200,000) . This lower molecular weight polysaccharide retained the identical physiologic properties when infused in the sheep . The degraded component precipitated with group B-specific antiserum . This study demonstrates that, in the sheep, a pure polysaccharide is the physiologically active part of a high-molecular-weight toxin synthesized by group B beta-hemolytic Streptococcus type III and that this component has a different carbohydrate composition from the group B capsular antigen.

Scand J Dent Res, 1981 Jun, 89(3), 247 - 50
Effect of aqueous solutions of sorbitol-xylitol on plaque metabolism and on growth of Streptococcus mutans; Rolla G et al.; The present study showed that the growth of Streptococcus mutans strain GS5 was inhibited by xylitol, and this indicates together with previous reports that this is a common phenomenon in this species . Sorbitol was found to increase the growth of S . mutans strains OMZ 176 and GS5 slightly compared with cultures with no external carbon source . Addition of small amounts of xylitol to the sorbitol cultures gave a growth below that of cultures with no extra carbon . Dental plaque challenged with sorbitol gave a small pH drop whereas xylitol caused a negligible decrease in pH . Sorbitol-xylitol challenges gave less acid production than sorbitol challenges alone.

J Bacteriol, 1981 Jun, 146(3), 937 - 44
Recombinant plasmid associated cell aggregation and high-frequency conjugation of Streptococcus lactis ML3; Walsh PM et al.; Lactose-positive (Lac+) transconjugants resulting from matings between Streptococcus lactic ML3 and S . lactis LM2301 possess a single plasmid of approximately 60 megadaltons (Mdal) which is nearly twice the size of the lactose plasmid of the donor . The majority of these Lac+ transconjugants aggregated in broth and were able to transfer lactose-fermenting ability at a frequency higher than 10(-1) per donor on milk agar plates or in broth . Lac+ transconjugants which did not clump conjugated at a much lower frequency . Lactose-negative derivatives of Lac+ clumping transconjugants did not aggregate in broth and were missing the 60-Mdal plasmid . The ability to aggregates in broth was very unstable . Strains could lose the ability to clump but retain lactose-fermenting ability . The majority of these Lac+ nonclumping derivatives of clumping transconjugants contained a plasmid of approximately 33 Mdal, the size of the lactose plasmid of the original donor ML3 . These strains transferred lactose-fermenting ability at a frequency of approximately 10(-6) per donor, resulting in both Lac+ clumping transconjugants which contained a 60-Mdal plasmid and Lac+ nonclumping transconjugants which possessed a 33-Mdal plasmid . Our results suggest that the genes responsible for cell aggregation and high-frequency conjugation are on the segment of deoxyribonucleic acid which recombined with the 33-Mdal lactose plasmid in S . lactis ML3.

J Bacteriol, 1981 Jun, 146(3), 885 - 94
Regulation of methyl-beta-d-thiogalactopyranoside-6-phosphate accumulation in Streptococcus lactis by exclusion and expulsion mechanisms; Thompson J et al.; Starved cells of Streptococcus lactis ML3 (grown previously on galactose, lactose, or maltose) accumulated methyl-beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside (TMG) by the lactose:phosphotransferase system . More than 98% of accumulated sugar was present as a phosphorylated derivative, TMG-6-phosphate (TMG-6P) . When a phosphotransferase system sugar (glucose, mannose, 2-deoxyglucose, or lactose) was added to the medium simultaneously with TMG, the beta-galactoside was excluded from the cells . Galactose enhanced the accumulation of TMG-6P . Glucose, mannose, lactose, or maltose plus arginine, was added to a suspension of TMG-6P-loaded cells of S . lactis ML3, elicited rapid expulsion of intracellular solute . The material recovered in the medium was exclusively free TMG . Expulsion of galactoside required both entry and metabolism of an appropriate sugar, and intracellular dephosphorylation of TMG-6P preceded efflux of TMG . The rate of dephosphorylation of TMG-6P by permeabilized cells was increased two-to threefold by adenosine 5'-triphosphate but was strongly inhibited by fluoride . S . lactis ML3 (DGr) was derived from S . lactis ML3 by positive selection for resistance to 2-deoxy-D-glucose and was defective in the enzyme IIMan component of the glucose:phosphotransferase system . Neither glucose nor mannose excluded TMG from cells of S . lactic ML3 (DGr), and these two sugars failed to elicit TMG expulsion from preloaded cells of the mutant strain . Accumulation of TMG-6P by S . lactis ML3 can be regulation by two independent mechanisms whose activities promote exclusion or expulsion of galactoside from the cell.

Johns Hopkins Med J, 1981 Jun, 148(6), 260 - 1
Streptococcus bovis meningitis and carcinoma of the colon; Weitberg AB et al.; A 90-year-old woman who presented with Streptococcus bovis meningitis was found at autopsy to have a colonic carcinoma . Although the association between colonic carcinoma and S . bovis endocarditis or bacteremia is well-documented in the literature, S . bovis meningitis is uncommon . A thorough investigation of the gastrointestinal tract should be undertaken in patients with S . bovis infections even in the absence of gastrointestinal signs or symptoms.

J Gen Microbiol, 1981 Jun, 124(Pt 2), 271 - 9
The isolation of characterization of Streptococcus mutans serotype h from dental plaque of monkeys (Macaca fascicularis); Beighton D et al.; A new serotype (h) of Streptococcus mutans was isolated from the dental plaque of monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) . Serotype h strains fermented mannitol and melibiose but not sorbitol or raffinose, failed to hydrolyse aesculin and arginine, did not produce hydrogen peroxide and were unable to grow in the presence of bacitracin at 2 units ml-1 . Sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of whole-cell proteins showed serotype h strains to be closely related to strains of genetic group III (i.e . serotypes d and g) . The serotype-specific antigen of serotype h contained glucose and galactose but was antigenically distinct from the polysaccharide antigens of serotypes a, d and g . Serotype h strains preferentially colonized developmental grooves of teeth and the proportion of serotype h in the plaque flora was greater in monkeys fed a sucrose-rich diet than in monkeys fed a starch-based diet . A serotype h strain was cariogenic for germ-free rats fed a high-sucrose diet, and serotype h strains appear to be implicated in the caries process in monkeys.

J Immunol, 1981 Jun, 126(6), 2279 - 83
Lymphoid cell responses to bacterial cell wall components: mitogenic responses of murine B cells to Streptococcus mutans carbohydrate antigens; Hamada S et al.; The mitogenic activity of various purified serotype carbohydrate and cell wall lysate fractions of Streptococcus mutans for murine lymphocytes has been determined . The highest mitogenic responses occurred after 48 hr of stimulation with these carbohydrate preparations when tested on splenic cultures derived from C3H/HeJ and BALB/c mice . The response pattern obtained with optimum concentrations of these preparations was very similar to that seen with the B cell mitogen, LPS . A purified serotype g carbohydrate (M1 g) prepared by mutanolysin enzyme treatment of S . mutans 6715 cell walls stimulated good mitogenic responses in BALB/c nude and nu/+ splenic cultures, suggesting an effect on mouse B cells . This was further substantiated by studies showing that this antigen also induced responses in cultures of B cells purified by nylon wool fractionation, whereas purified T cells did not respond . Mitogenic responses were due to the carbohydrate moiety and not to possible LPS contamination, since alkaline treatment or mixture with polymyxin B greatly reduced responses to LPS; however, no alteration of mitogenic responses to M1 g occurred . Further, LPS nonresponsive C3H/HeJ spleen cells yielded good mitogenic responses to M1 g . On the other hand, periodate treatment, which is known to decompose carbohydrate moieties completely abrogated the mitogenic activity of M1 g antigen . Additional studies with serotypes c and e carbohydrate, which also induced mitogenic responses, suggested that this activity for lymphoid cells may be a common property of S . mutans cell wall carbohydrate.

Biull Eksp Biol Med, 1981 Jun, 91(6), 712 - 4
{Detection of a cross-reacting antigen common to multilaminar epithelia and group A streptococcus in cells of human epidermal tumors}; Beletskaia LV et al.; The tissue-specific antigen of basal cells of human squamous epithelium which cross-reacts with streptococcal group A antigen has been detected in the cytoplasm of cells of human basal cell and squamous cells carcinomas histogenetically related to the skin epithelium . The antigen has not been detected in cells of tumors of endodermal origin (gastric and intestinal adenocarcinomas) . These findings together with previous reports on the existence of cross-reactivity in case of animal tumors of ectodermal genesis may form the basis for an additional method of differential diagnosis of human tumors arising from the ectoderm-derived epithelium.

Nucleic Acids Res, 1981 May 25, 9(10), 2267 - 80
Base specificity of mismatch repair in Streptococcus pneumoniae; Claverys JP et al.; DNA sequence analysis was undertaken to investigate the structural basis of mutations showing different integration efficiencies in Streptococcus pneumoniae . Wild type, mutant and revertant sequences at two sites in the amiA locus were determined . It appears that markers which transform efficiently or inefficiently can result from single base pair changes . A low efficiency (LE) marker corresponds to a C:G to T:A change and a high efficiency (HE) marker to a G:C to T:A change . In the latter case, two mismatches, G/A and T/C, can exist at the heteroduplex stage in transformation; only T/C appears to be recognized by the hex system which controls transforming efficiencies in pneumococcus . Each of the recognized mismatches, T/G and C/A, which result from transitional change, and T/C appears to involve at least one pyrimidine . It is proposed that the mismatch repair system of S . pneumoniae is directed against mismatched pyrimidines . DNA sequence analysis also reveals that short deletions (33 or 34 bases long) behave as very high efficiency markers, confirming that deletions are not recognized by the hex system.

JAMA, 1981 May 8, 245(18), 1839 - 42
Pneumococcal septicemia in children with sickle cell anemia . Changing trend of survival; Powars D et al.; Streptococcus pneumoniae infection has been the predominant cause of death among children with sickle cell anemia (SS) . We report our observed change in the pattern of progression of septicemia to meningitis and death in nonimmunized SS children who were not receiving prophylactic penicillin in the face of a persistently high incidence of pneumococcal disease . Of 233 SS children less than ages 6 years observed for 781 person-years, the overall incidence rate of pneumococcal septicemia was 5.9 episodes per 100 person-years . Prior to July 1972, of 23 children who had pneumococcal septicemia, eight (35%) died and meningitis developed in 15 (65%), whereas since July 1972, 11 children have had pneumococcal septicemia, but no children died and meningitis developed in only two (18%) . This decrease in major morbidity is attributed to the establishment of a clinical program that provides close medical supervision of the SS child with fever and the rapid institution of parenteral antibiotic therapy.

Br Poult Sci, 1981 May, 22(3), 289 - 94
The gut microflora and the uptake of glucose from the small intestine of the chick; Coates ME et al.; 1 . Chicks whose growth rate had been depressed either by a fully conventional flora or by association with a bile acid deconjugating strain of Streptococcus faecium and/or a filterable agent from chicken droppings showed no significant reduction in uptake of 3-0-methyl-alpha-D-glucopyranose compared with germ-free birds . 2 . Association with a microflora increased the weight of the gut per unit length.

Infect Immun, 1981 May, 32(2), 655 - 60
Bactericidal activity of human lactoferrin: influence of physical conditions and metabolic state of the target microorganism; Arnold RR et al.; Lactoferrin is an iron-binding protein that is bactericidal against Streptococcus mutans and several other microorganisms . In this study, the influence of several physical conditions as well as the metabolic state of S . mutans on lactoferrin susceptibility were investigated . After exposure to lactoferrin, a 15-min lag period occurred before the initiation of killing, indicating that a two-step process is involved in lactoferrin killing . Cultures harvested during the early exponential phase were very sensitive to lactoferrin, whereas cultures harvested in the early stationary phase were markedly more resistant . The rate of killing was dependent on temperature; there was no loss of viability at 2 degrees C . Killing occurred at pH 5.0 to 6.0 in water and 20 mM glycine, but did not occur at any pH in 50 mM sodium phosphate or N-2-hydroxyethylpiperazine-N'-2-ethanesulfonic acid (HEPES) buffer . Addition of exogenous ferrous or ferric ions did not reverse or prevent lactoferrin killing, nor did addition of 1 mM magnesium chloride.

J Am Geriatr Soc, 1981 May, 29(5), 228 - 31
Transtracheal aspiration in the severely ill elderly patient with bacterial pneumonia; Berk SL et al.; Transtracheal aspiration was performed in 32 elderly hypoxic patients with bacterial pneumonia . No morbidity or mortality was associated with the procedure . Gram stains of the transtracheal aspirate provided rapid, accurate delineation of the etiologic pneumonic agent, and were particularly valuable in indicating mixed bacterial infections . These included 5 cases of Streptococcus pneumoniae plus Gram-negative bacillary pneumonia . The safety and value of transtracheal aspiration in the severely ill elderly patient are discussed.

Am J Obstet Gynecol, 1981 May 1, 140(1), 39 - 45
Conservative management of premature rupture of the membrane; Varner MW et al.; Management recommendations for pregnancies complicated by premature rupture of the membranes must consider both the neonatal morbidity and mortality of immaturity associated with prompt delivery and the infectious risks to the mother and fetus associated with prolonged observation . Because these considerations are critical in pregnancies with prematurely ruptured membranes and premature but potentially viable infants, 116 pregnancies with this complication between 28 and 36 weeks' gestation were reviewed . All patients received careful in-hospital surveillance . Six patients (5.2%) developed amnionitis prior to labor . Nine infants (7.1%) developed neonatal sepsis, with the predominant pathogen being the group B beta-hemolytic streptococcus . A decrease in the incidence of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) with progressive duration of membrane rupture was observed . The perinatal survival in this study was 96.9% . These findings suggest that in similar patient populations an expectant management plan may be employed with minimal infectious risks to mother and fetus.

J Bacteriol, 1981 May, 146(2), 826 - 30
Transformation of Streptococcus sanguis with monomeric pVA736 plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid; Macrina FL et al.; Monomeric and oligomeric forms of a 5.0 x 10(6)-dalton plasmid (conferring erythromycin resistance) were able to genetically transform naturally competent Streptococcus sanguis . Transformation with electrophoretically purified monomer was a second-order process, whereas transformation with a dye-buoyant density gradient-purified plasmid preparation followed one-hit kinetics.

J Bacteriol, 1981 May, 146(2), 764 - 74
Lysis of Streptococcus mutans by hen egg white lysozyme and inorganic sodium salts; Goodman H et al.; Streptococcus mutans BHT was grown in a synthetic medium containing radioactive thymidine to monitor deoxyribonucleic acid release . Kinetic experiments demonstrated that although lysozyme alone could not liberate deoxyribonucleic acid, cellular deoxyribonucleic acid was liberated from lysozyme-treated cells by addition of low concentrations of inorganic sodium salts . When the salts were tested for their ability to dislodge cell-bound tritiated lysozyme, the extent of the initial release of enzyme by individual anions correlated with the anion potency for deoxyribonucleic acid liberation (SCN- greater than ClO4- greater than I- greater than Br- greater than NO3- greater than Cl- greater than F-), although the total amount of lysozyme dislodged did not correspond directly with cell lysis . Differences in the effectiveness of anions (SCN-, HCO3-, Cl- and F-) in potentiating cell lysis could be enhanced or minimized by varying the lysozyme, anion, and bacterial cell concentrations . As the anion concentration was increased for each enzyme concentration and cell concentration, the lysis increased, in some cases markedly, until maximum levels of released deoxyribonucleic acid were attained . The maximum levels of lysis of SCN- and HCO3- were similar and were greater than those for Cl- and F- . In addition, the maximum levels were observed to increase for each of the anions as the concentration of lysozyme increased.

Ann Immunol (Paris), 1981 May-Jun, 132C(3), 257 - 74
Cellular responses of the mouse to the peptidoglycan of a gram-positive bacterium (Streptococcus pyogenes); Caravano R et al.; The cellular responses and the stimulation of the reticulo-macrophagic system induced in the mouse by a purified bacterial peptidoglycan (PGL) as previously described, were studied by the changes in the peritoneal cytology, the macrophage-migration-inhibition test and the clearance of colloidal carbon . PGL was submitted to chemical and immunochemical characterization and was shown to be substantially free of contamination by polysaccharides, phospholipids, teichoic acid and nucleic acids, but to contain a detectable amount of peptide contaminants; N-acetylglucosamine and the tetrapeptide (with terminal D-alanine) were shown to be the main antigenic determinants . This substance had no action on polymorphonuclear leucocytes but induced an inhibition of the migration of macrophages . This was due to an immunological reaction rather than to direct cytotoxicity, as shown by the negative cytotoxicity tests and the age and life-environment-dependence of the phenomenon . The reticulomacrophagic system was significantly stimulated after primary inoculation, and still more so after a booster . The possible mechanisms of these activities, which are therefore independent from toxic and/or inflammatory responses, are discussed.

Br J Ophthalmol, 1981 May, 65(5), 323 - 8
Uveitis, vitreous humour, and klebsiella . II . Cross-reactivity studies with radioimmunoassay; Welsh J et al.; Radioimmunoassay with calf and cow vitreous humour-I125 and rabbit antivitreous humour serum has been employed to investigate the immunological cross-reactivity of vitreous humour with bacterial and mammalian tissue antigens . Klebsiella ultrasonicate preparation at a dose fo 10 000 micrograms/ml was found to inhibit the binding of vitreous humour by 25-100% (p less than 0.001), compared with an inhibition of 5-30% by a similar quantity of E . coli ultrasonicate preparation . Equivalent amounts of Streptococcus pyogenes antigen, bovine haemoglobin, and hyaluronic acid had no inhibitory effect, while horse spleen ferritin was found to inhibit vitreous humour binding between 0 and 10% . These results indicate that klebsiella micro-organisms have antigens which partially resemble some eyeball components . It is suggested that acute anterior uveitis of ankylosing spondylitis may be produced by anti-Gram-negative bacterial antibodies binding to cross-reacting eye antigens.

Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol Suppl, 1981 May-Jun, 90(3 Pt 3), 8 - 12
Chemoprophylaxis for surgery of the head and neck; Becker GD; A prospective study of patients undergoing major head and neck cancer surgery was undertaken to 1) define the value of cefazolin prophylaxis in reducing the incidence of wound infection, 2) define the value of preoperative and intraoperative (perioperative) cultures in identifying the patient at high risk of wound infection and in predicting the bacteriology of subsequent wound infection, and 3) demonstrate the most common aerobic and anaerobic flora of infected wounds . Preoperatively, the neck skin, oropharynx and anterior nares were swabbed for aerobic cultures . An intraoperative wound culture was obtained after the mucosal defect was sutured and the wound irrigated with water and sent for aerobic culture . All infected wounds were cultured for aerobic and anaerobic flora . Cefazolin, 1 g, was given intramuscularly (IM) about two hours before the skin incision, and continued in 0.5 g doses IM or intravenously (IV) every six hours for four doses . Cefazolin prophylaxis significantly reduced the incidence of postoperative wound infection . Isolation of aerobic pathogens perioperatively was not correlated with a greater risk of wound infection and did not accurately predict the flora of subsequent wound infection . The most common pathogenic aerobes isolated from infected wounds were Staphylococcus aureus and beta-Streptococcus not group A, as well as a variety of Gram-negative organisms . The most common anaerobic isolate was Bacteroides melaninogenicus.

Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol Suppl, 1981 May-Jun, 90(3 Pt 3), 68 - 71
Etiology and antimicrobial treatment of acute sinusitis; Gwaltney JM Jr et al.; Acute maxillary sinusitis is a disease of varied etiology . Over half of the cases are caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae and Hemophilus influenzae . Anaerobic bacteria account for another 10% of cases and these are usually of dental origin . The rest of the cases are caused by several other bacteria, each of which cause a small proportion . Rhinoviruses, influenza, and parainfluenza viruses also invade the sinuses and probably lead to secondary bacterial infection . Diagnosis of acute sinusitis on clinical grounds is difficult . Sinus transillumination and x-ray are the most valuable routine tests available . Ampicillin, amoxicillin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and cefaclor have been shown to be effective treatment for most cases of acute sinusitis . Infection persists when there is inadequate or inappropriate treatment . The patient may become relatively asymptomatic in the face of persistent active infection . Follow-up clinical and x-ray examinations are indicated, when possible, to detect treatment failures . Although not a routine diagnostic procedure, sinus puncture and aspiration may be of value in the seriously ill patient or one who has not responded to treatment.

Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol Suppl, 1981 May-Jun, 90(3 Pt 3), 30 - 6
Microbiology and antimicrobial treatment of otitis media; Klein JO; Appropriate choice of antimicrobial agents for therapy of otitis media (OM) is based on an understanding of the microbiology of the acute and chronic diseases . The results of studies of bacteriology of OM are very similar: Streptococcus pneumoniae and Hemophilus influenzae are the most important pathogens; Gram-negative enteric bacilli are isolated from middle ear fluids (MEF) of approximately 20% of infants to 6 weeks of age; group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus and Staphylococcus aureus are infrequent causes of otitis . Preliminary results suggest that anaerobic bacteria are responsible for some episodes of OM . Viruses and mycoplasma are infrequently isolated from MEF but Chlamydia trachomatis appears to be a significant cause of OM in young infants . Recent studies of asymptomatic children with persistent MEF indicate that bacterial pathogens are present in some of these fluids . The significance of these results is uncertain, but they suggest that the persistent effusion may be a result of prolonged infection or may be an immune response to bacterial antigens . Based on the bacteriology, amoxicillin or ampicillin are the currently preferred drugs for initial treatment of otitis media . For the child who is allergic to penicillins, cefaclor or erythromycin combined with a sulfonamide or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole are satisfactory alternatives . The current incidence of ampicillin-resistant H influenzae responsible for OM is low but if the patient does not respond to initial therapy with ampicillin or amoxicillin, infection with a resistant strain of H influenzae should be considered and a change in therapy to include a sulfonamide, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole or cefaclor is appropriate.

Infect Immun, 1981 May, 32(2), 830 - 9
Localization of Streptococcus mutans GS-5 glucosyltransferases and intracellular invertase; Bozzola JJ et al.; Antibodies directed against Streptococcus mutans GS-5 intracellular invertase and glucosyltransferase fractions capable of synthesizing primarily water-soluble or insoluble glucans were used to ultrastructurally localize the enzymes by means of the unlabeled antibody peroxidase-antiperoxidase method . This immunocytochemical procedure revealed that the intracellular invertase was associated primarily with the cytoplasmic membrane of the cariogenic organism . The glucosyltransferase complex responsible for insoluble glucan synthesis was localized as aggregates attached to the cell surface or extracellular polysaccharides of strain GS-5 . In contrast, the glucosyltransferase activity synthesizing primarily water-soluble glucans was distributed uniformly over the cell surface or in association with extracellular polysaccharides . These results are discussed relative to the sucrose-metabolizing ability of Streptococcus mutans.

J Bacteriol, 1981 May, 146(2), 517 - 26
Pathway of plasmid transformation in Pneumococcus: open circular and linear molecules are active; Saunders CW et al.; We have extended the analysis of plasmid transformation in Streptococcus pneumoniae by finding that monomeric and dimeric open circular and linear forms of pMV158 were active in transformation . Their efficiencies were at least 35-fold lower than those of the corresponding closed circular forms . The evidence came largely from analysis of S1 nuclease-digested plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid by combinations of dye-buoyancy, gel electrophoresis, and sedimentation velocity methods . As with closed circular forms, monomer open circular forms gave second-order kinetics and dimer forms gave first-order kinetics . Unique linear products of digestion by either of two restriction enzymes were inactive, but a mixture of the two digests was active, as was the mixture of linear monomer deoxyribonucleic acids produced by S1 nuclease . Absolute efficiencies of transformation were low even for closed circular donors . All of the results, including the low efficiencies, were consistent with the interpretation that plasmid replicons were assembled in the recipient cell by pairing of fragments of single strands that had entered the cell separately from duplex donors that had been cut on the cell surface.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 1981 May, 19(5), 807 - 12
Enhanced transmembrane proton conductance in Streptococcus mutans GS-5 due to ionophores and fluoride; Eisenberg AD et al.; The uptake of protons by intact cells of Streptococcus mutans GS-5 was measured directly by assessing the pH increase in lightly buffered cell suspensions as protons moved across the plasma membrane after acid pulses . The barrier function of the cell membrane for protons was disrupted completely by 5% (vol/vol) butanol . This function was compromised severely by the ionophores valinomycin and gramicidin and by the uncoupler carbonylcyanide-m-chlorophenyl hydrazone . Proton conduction across the membrane was also enhanced by fluoride . It appeared that HF traversed the membrane and acted as a carrier . Once in the relatively alkaline cytoplasm, HF dissociated to yield F- and H+, which acted to acidify the cytoplasm and reduced the pH difference across the membrane.

Am J Obstet Gynecol, 1981 Apr 15, 139(8), 922 - 4
Maternal blood group and colonization with the group B streptococcus; Iams JD et al.; A recent report showing a significant association of maternal blood type B and cervical colonization with the group B streptococcus prompted this review of blood types and vaginal group B streptococcal colonization . No association of blood type and group B streptococcal colonization was found . Possible reasons for the difference in results are discussed, and further research is suggested.

Tijdschr Diergeneeskd, 1981 Apr 15, 106(8), suppl 3:74 - 9
Comparative efficacy of three antibiotic products for the treatment and prevention of subclinical mastitis during the dry period; Ziv G et al.; The comparative efficacy of a product containing 500 mg benzathine cloxacillin (Orbenin D.C.) . another product containing 100 mg nafcillin, 300 mg procaine benzylpenicillin and 100 mg dihydrostreptomycin (Nafpenzal D.C.) and a third product containing 250 mg cephalonium (Cepravin D.C.), in the elimination and prevention of mastitis due to gram-positive microorganisms during the dry period was investigated in 1253 cows located in 14 herds in Israel . Although more uniform results were observed after treatment with Nafpenzal D.C . differences among herds were rather large . The mean cure rate for Staphylococcus aureus quarter infections was 81.4 per cent . New S . aureus infections which occurred between drying off and post calving sampling time were found in 7.0 per cent of the quarters . Dry period therapy reduced infection level with S . aureus from 13.5 per cent of quarters to 8.0 per cent . A similar proportional decrease was found in infection level due to non-agalactiae Streptococcus quarter infections.

Am J Gastroenterol, 1981 Apr, 75(4), 314 - 6
Polyposis coli presenting with Streptococcus bovis endocarditis; Marshall JB et al.; Streptococcus bovis bacteremia is an important early clue to the presence of serious and clinically unexpected gastrointestinal disease, particularly carcinoma of the colon . S . bovis bacteremia has also been associated with carcinoma of the esophagus and stomach, gastric lymphoma, pancreatic adenocarcinoma, intestinal diverticulosis and single adenomatous polyps and villous polyps of the colon . We report a patient with S . bovis endocarditis as the initial clinical manifestation of extensive polyposis of the colon and rectum . All patients with S . bovis bacteremia need thorough investigation of their gastrointestinal tract even in the absence of symptoms, signs, or positive laboratory tests suggestive of gastrointestinal pathology.

Acta Pathol Microbiol Scand {B}, 1981 Apr, 89(2), 75 - 80
Genetic transformation of Streptococcus sanguis . Further studies on the production and isolation of the competence factor; Gaustad P et al.; Two new media were developed, containing only the dialyzable components of Todd Hewitt broth (TH) with (medium II) or without (medium IV) inactivated horse serum . The two media were used to detect activity of the competence factor (CF) and the competence factor inactivator (CGI) of Streptococcus sanguis, and in preliminary experiments of CF isolation . Because all the dissolved substances with molecular weight (mol . wt.) less than 12,000 can be removed from these media by dialysis, leaving the CF and possible other high mol . wt . substances formed by growth in the dialysis tube, the use of these media should facilitate the isolation of CF and other high mol . wt . substances involved in genetic transformation of S . sanguis . Dialysis experiments suggest a mol . wt . greater than 12,000 of the CFs of the strains Challis and 13b . The CF of strain 13b was further isolated by Sephadex gel filtration and was eluted in the fractions of low mol . wt . compounds.

Acta Pathol Microbiol Scand {B}, 1981 Apr, 89(2), 67 - 73
Genetic transformation in Streptococcus sanguis . Competence factor and competence factor inactivator; Gaustad P; Genetic transformation in Streptococcus sanguis is a complex, multi-step process, involving several factors . The competence factor (CF), occurring in the culture filtrates of some strains, is essential in streptococcal transformation, but other factors are also involved . The presence of serum during growth is not obligatory for the preparation of active culture filtrate, but serum increases the amount and duration of CF activity of some strains . The stability of the CF activity differs distinctly in filtrates prepared from various strains . This observation can be explained by the presence of a previously undescribed factor--names the competence factor inactivator (CFI)--which inactivates the CF in culture filtrates during the transforming experiment as well as during storage . The CFI is thermolabile and is estimated from the filtrates by heating (65 degrees C for 15 min) . The properties of the CFI suggest that it may be a protein with enzymatic activity . The CFs from the strains Challis and 13b resist heating to 100 degrees C for 2 h, and are stable for at least 72 h if the CFI is absent or has been inactivated by heating . The CF activity in the filtrates is inactivated by pronase and chymotrypsin, suggesting that the CF may be of a polypeptide nature.

J Clin Microbiol, 1981 Apr, 13(4), 787 - 8
Production of deoxyribonuclease, ribonuclease, coagulase, and hemolysins by anaerobic gram-positive cocci; Marshall R et al.; Clinical isolates of Peptococcus and Peptostreptococcus species and Streptococcus intermedius strains were obtained from local hospitals . After confirmed identification, each isolate was tested for the in vitro production of deoxyribonuclease, ribonuclease, coagulase, and hemolysins . Of the 60 strains studied, 18 had enzymatic activity . The variability of enzyme production suggests that such assays are not suitable as an aid to identification of these organisms.

Tijdschr Diergeneeskd, 1981 Apr 1, 106(7), 367 - 70
{A case of mastitis caused by streptococcus viridans biotype IV (author's transl)}; Groothuis DG; A case of clinical bovine mastitis caused by infection with Streptococcus viridans, biotype IV was reported . Of a dairy herd of twenty-three cows, three animals were severely affected with clinical mastitis of at least two quarters in each cow . Streptococcus viridans, biotype IV, in pure culture was subsequently isolated on two occasions from eight quarters of these cows . Following experimental infection with the isolated Streptococcus viridans in a normal lactating cow, mastitis appeared with symptoms very similar to those observed in the spontaneous case . The organism cultured four days after infection, was identified as being the same organism used to induce infection . It is concluded that Streptococcus viridans could be pathogenic for the bovine mammary gland probably for other species.

Infect Immun, 1981 Apr, 32(1), 56 - 61
Antibody to group B Streptococcus type III in human sera measured by a mouse protection test; Baltimore RS et al.; Antibody to group B Streptococcus type III (GBS-III) was measured in human plasma and sera by using a test which measures the ability to protect outbred albino mice from an intraperitoneal challenge of GBS-III calculated to be lethal to 90% of the mice (LD90 dose) . Of three samples from three different lots of commercial human immune serum globulin, none were protective despite the presence of antibody to the native type III polysaccharide . Nine specimens were tested from recipients of multivalent pneumococcal vaccine, and none were protective . Five specimens were tested from recipients of GBS-III polysaccharide vaccines who had responded with greater than 50 micrograms of specific antibody per ml in the blood . All of these were protective and could be diluted to titers of 1:10 to 1:40 . Of two prevaccination sera with low levels of specific antibody, neither was protective . An unexpected finding which may limit the sensitivity of the mouse protection assay was that the human immune serum globulin and human serum with a very low level of antibody appeared to increase the lethality of the GBS-III test strain, resulting in LD50 values reduced to 0.01 of the usual LD50.

Infect Immun, 1981 Apr, 32(1), 311 - 7
Adhesion of Streptococcus pneumoniae to human pharyngeal epithelial cells in vitro: differences in adhesive capacity among strains isolated from subjects with otitis media, septicemia, or meningitis or from healthy carriers; Andersson B et al.; A method was developed to study the adhesion of Streptococcus pneumoniae to human pharyngeal epithelial cells . Epithelial cells from healthy persons, pneumococcal strains from patients with otitis media, meningitis, or septicemia, and pneumococcal cells from the nasopharynx of healthy carriers were used . Adhesion was found to be influenced by changes in the bacterial incubation medium and growth phase, the concentration of bacteria and epithelial cells, the epithelial cell donor, the incubation time and temperature, and the pH and osmolarity of the incubation medium . Pretreatment of bacteria with heat, Formalin, or trypsin decreased adhesion . The highest adhesion was obtained when 10(9) bacteria cultivated for 18 h in streptococcus cultivation broth were added to 10(4) pharyngeal cells and incubated at 37 degrees C for 30 min . S . pneumoniae strains from patients with frequent episodes of otitis media and strains from healthy carriers had the highest adhesion values; septicemia and meningitis strains had the lowest . The capsular polysaccharide type did not determine the adhesive capacity of the strains, but otitis strains belonging to the capsular types often associated with otitis media adhered in high numbers . Adhesion may be important for pneumococci colonizing the nasopharynx or inducing otitis media.

Infect Immun, 1981 Apr, 32(1), 118 - 26
Adherence of staphylococcus aureus to influenza A virus-infected Madin-Darby canine kidney cell cultures; Davison VE et al.; Madin-Darby canine kidney cells infected with influenza A virus (strains PR8, FM1, Jap 305, and Tex 1) were tested with nine strains of Staphylococcus aureus and group B Streptococcus type Ic to determine whether mammalian cells become susceptible to bacterial adherence as a result of virus infection . Bacterial adherence to virus-infected cells varied depending on the virus strain and on the strain of bacteria tested . A quantitative radioassay was developed to study the parameters of adherence . Attachment of 3H-labeled S . aureus grown in chemically defined or biologically complex medium to FM1 virus-infected cells was significantly increased (P less than 0.0005) compared with attachment to control cells . Adherence coincided with the appearance of hemadsorption, which is a marker of the presence of virus-induced glycoproteins on the cell surface . Adherence was temperature dependent, increased with a decrease in hydrogen ion concentration, and was not affected by the presence of K+, Mg2+, or Ca2+ . Adherence was blocked when 3H-labeled S . aureus was pretreated with trypsin but not when cells were pretreated with neuraminidase.

J Fam Pract, 1981 Apr, 12(4), 649 - 52
Efficacy of two dosage schedules of cephalexin in dermatologic infections; DiMattia AF et al.; Is the administration of oral antibiotics four times a day as necessary as some pharmacokinetic studies indicate? The efficacy of cephalexin administered twice a day was compared to the same drug administered four times a day for the treatment of skin and skin structure infections due to staphylococcus and/or streptococcus . The 154 outpatients in this four-clinic study ranged in age from 1 month to more than 70 years . A random number table was used to assign patients to either the twice a day or the four times a day regimen . The total daily dosage was the same in each regimen . Administration twice a day proved equally effective to the four times a day regimen . Both regimens were more than 97 percent effective and side effects were minimal.

J Dent Res, 1981 Apr, 60(4), 855 - 9
Susceptibility of rats, hamsters, and mice to carious infection by Streptococcus mutans serotype c and d organisms; Ooshima T et al.; Susceptibility of rats, hamsters, and mice to carious infection by S . mutans serotypes c and d was compared . S . mutans serotype c induced a similar level of carious lesions at experimental periods of 68, 82, and 98 d in rats, hamsters, and mice, respectively . On the other hand, S . mutans serotype d developed a high level of caries at those experimental periods in rats and hamsters, whereas in mice it showed weak caries activity.

J Bacteriol, 1981 Apr, 146(1), 1 - 6
Role of Streptococcus sanguis (strain Wicky) cell surface-located deoxyribonucleic acid-binding factor in transformation of a homologous strain; Ceglowski P et al.; In a previous report we demonstrated the presence of a factor binding deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in vitro (BF) in cell leakage fluids from transformable Streptococcus sanguis strains Wicky, Challis, and Blackburn . BF originating from strain Wicky was purified to homogeneity, and its properties are described . In this work, it was found that BF occurs at the surface of Wicky cells in two forms, loosely bound (LB-BF) and strongly bound to the cell envelope . It was demonstrated that LB-BF formed fast-sedimenting complexes with exogenous DNA at the surface of Wicky cells . About 10-fold-more DNA became associated as a fast-sedimenting complex in competent than in incompetent cells . Thus, LB-BF is a cell receptor for exogenous DNA . However, the comparison of the effects of some agents on the transformation yield and the formation of LB-BF-DNA complexes, showed that the influence of these agents on both observed phenomena is not parallel and may be even opposite . These results are interpreted to mean that the LB-BF-DNA complexes do not take part in transformation . The problem of participation of BF strongly bound with the cell membrane fraction remains to be elucidated.

Infect Immun, 1981 Apr, 32(1), 364 - 72
Adherence of Streptococcus sanguis clinical isolates to smooth surfaces and interactions of the isolates with Streptococcus mutans glucosyltransferase; Hamada S et al.; Streptococcus sanguis isolated from human dental plaque were grown in Todd-Hewitt broth . Cells were collected by centrifugation and lyophilized after extensive washing with water . The cell-associated glucosyltransferase (GTase) activities of S . sanguis strains were assayed with {14C}sucrose . Strain differences in GTase activity were significant within the same serotype or biotype or both . The ability of S . sanguis cells to adhere to smooth glass surfaces was generally weak, irrespective of significant cell-associated GTase activity synthesizing water-insoluble, gel-like glucans . Resting cells of most S . sanguis strains bound extracellular GTase from Streptococcus mutans strain B13 (serotype d), resulting in the strong adherence of the S . sanguis cells to smooth glass surfaces in the presence of sucrose . Conversely, S . mutans B13 cells also could bind extracellular GTase from some strains of S . sanguis examined . The sucrose-dependent adherence of S . mutans cells was not altered, although S . sanguis strains from which the extracellular GTases were obtained did not produce significant adherence in the presence of sucrose . In view of these findings, it was suggested that S . mutans GTase could affect the adherence of S . sanguis to smooth tooth surfaces in the oral cavity.

J Bacteriol, 1981 Apr, 146(1), 369 - 76
Proton motive force in growing Streptococcus lactis and Staphylococcus aureus cells under aerobic and anaerobic conditions; Kashket ER; Measurements of the electrochemical gradient of hydrogen ions, which gives rise to the proton motive force (PMF), were carried out with growing Streptococcus lactis and Staphylococcus aureus cells . The facultative anaerobe was chosen in order to compare the PMF of cells growing aerobically and anaerobically . It was expected that during aerobic growth the cells would have a higher PMF than during anaerobic growth, because the H+-translocating ATPase (BF0F1) operates in the direction of H+ influx and ATP synthesis during respiration, whereas under anaerobic conditions the BF0F1 hydrolyzes glycolytically generated ATP and establishes the proton gradient by extruding H+ . The electrical component of the PMF, delta psi, and the chemical gradient of H+, delta pH, were measured with radiolabeled tetraphenylphosphonium and benzoate ions . In both S . lactis and S . aureus cells, the PMF was constant during the exponential phase of batch growth and decreased in the stationary phase . In both species of bacteria, the exponential-phase PMF was not affected by varying the growth rate by adding different sugars to the medium . The relative contributions of delta psi and delta pH to the PMF, however, depended on the pH of the medium . The internal pH of S . aureus was constant at pH 7.4 to 7.6 under all conditions of growth tested . Under aerobic conditions, the delta psi of exponential phase S . aureus remained fairly constant at 160 to 170 mV . Thus, the PMF was 250 to 270 mV in cells growing aerobically in media at pH 6 and progressively lower in media of higher pH, reaching 195 to 205 mV at pH 7 . Under anaerobic conditions, the delta psi ranged from 100 to 120 mV in cells at pH 6.3 to 7, resulting in a PMF of 150 to 140 mV . Thus, the mode of energy metabolism (i.e., respiration versus fermentation) and the pH of the medium are the two important factors influencing the PMF of these gram-positive cells during growth.

J Dent Res, 1981 Apr, 60(4), 831 - 7
Thiocyanate as a cofactor in myeloperoxidase activity against Streptococcus mutans; Kersten HW et al.; Inhibition of glycolysis of some oral bacteria was established in vitro by an antibacterial system, consisting of myeloperoxidase, H2O2, and a cofactor . When thiocyanate was used in physiological concentration as a cofactor, the system acted (at low pH) bactericidally on Streptococcus mutans, as indicated by the determination of viable counts . However, at neutral pH, the glycolysis of Streptococcus mutans was inhibited, while its viability remained unaffected . The possible role of such a pH-dependent antibacterial system in the oral cavity is discussed.

J Gen Microbiol, 1981 Mar, 123(Pt 1), 151 - 61
Surface tension-like forces determine bacterial shapes: Streptococcus faecium; Koch AL et al.; The same tendency that causes soap bubbles to achieve a minimum surface area for the volume enclosed seems to account for many of the features of growth and division of bacteria, including both bacilli and cocci . It is only necessary to assume that growth takes place in zones and that only in these zones does the tension caused by hydrostatic pressure create the strain that forces the cell to increase the wall area . The stress developed by osmotic pressure creates strains that significantly lower the free energy of bond splitting by hydrolysis or transfer . We believe this is sufficient to make growing wall have some of the properties ordinarily associated with surface tension . The feature common to all bacterial cell wall growth is that peptidoglycan is inserted under strain-free conditions . Only after the covalent links have been formed are the intervening stressed peptide bonds cleaved so that the new unit supports the stress due to hydrostatic pressure . The present paper analyses the growth of Streptococcus faecium in these terms . This is a particularly simple case and detailed data concerning morphology are available . The best fit to the data is achieved by assuming that growth takes place in a narrow region near the splitting septum and that the septal material is already under tension as it is externalized and is twice as thick as the external wall throughout the development of the nascent poles . Constancy of the ratio of hydrostatic pressure to the effective surface tension, P/T, is also consistent with electron microscopic observations.

Rev Infect Dis, 1981 Mar-Apr, 3 Suppl, S97 - 107
Clinical studies of pneumococcal vaccines in infants . I . Reactogenicity and immunogenicity of two polyvalent polysaccharide vaccines; Sell SH et al.; Normal infants, selected at six months of age for participation in one of two separate studies of polyvalent pneumococcal vaccines, octavalent vaccine for Eli Lilly Laboratories (Indianapolis, Ind.) and 14-valent vaccine from Merck Sharp & Dohme (West Point, Pa.), were assigned randomly to groups to receive vaccine at six and/or 12 months of age or to control (unvaccinated) groups . Serum collected at ages six, seven, 12, 13, and 24 months provided pre- and postvaccination geometric mean titers (GMTs) as well as information about persistence of antibody titers . Clinical reactions were monitored by a home visit at 24 hr after each injection . The octavalent vaccine, when given at six months of age, stimulated significant antibody against Streptococcus pneumoniae type 3 and against types 3, 7, 18, and 23 when given at 12 months of age; GMTs were significantly higher than those of controls of the same ages (P less than or equal to 0.05) . The 14-valent product, given at 12 months of age, was immunogenic against types 6, 7, 8, and 14 when GMTs were compared with those of controls (P less than or equal to 0.05) . Vaccination at six months of age was followed by depressed GMTs on revaccination . Natural acquisition of antibody was indicated by rising GMTs in the unvaccinated controls, who had an increase of greater than or equal to 1.8-fold for all types during the interval between six and 13 months of age . By the age of 24 months, GMTs of all groups were similar . Clinical reactions were mild and brief (less than or equal to 36 hr) . Results of these studies indicate that modification of the vaccines is needed for improvement of the immunogenicity in infants.

Rev Infect Dis, 1981 Mar-Apr, 3 Suppl, S160 - 7
Immunization of immunosuppressed patients with pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine; Ammann AJ et al.; The antibody response after immunization with capsular polysaccharides of Streptococcus pneumoniae of patients with Hodgkin's disease or with carcinoma of the head and neck was studied . Patients with Hodgkin's disease who were immunized prior to the institution of immunosuppressive therapy were capable of responding to each of the pneumococcal polysaccharides evaluated . The level of antibody achieved by the patients is lower than that of normal control subjects . Nevertheless, absolute values were in the range that would be expected to result in protection . The duration of antibody response was not evaluated . Patients with carcinoma of the head and neck did not demonstrate a significant increase in antibody levels after vaccination, which was done at the time of radiation therapy . Two years after immunization antibody levels were lower with recovery at three years . However, these changes were not statistically significant . Decreased levels of antibody to pneumococcal polysaccharide types not present in the vaccine were observed . Studies of patients with carcinoma of the heat and neck demonstrated that radiation therapy has a profound immunosuppressive effect on antibody levels . More selective immunosuppressive therapy and/or an increase in the immunogenicity of the polysaccharides in the vaccine are required for protection of patients with malignancy.

Rev Infect Dis, 1981 Mar-Apr, 3 Suppl, S144 - 59
Antibody response of patients with Hodgkin's disease to protein and polysaccharide antigens; Siber GR et al.; We examined the antibody response of patients with Hodgkin's disease to a variety of vaccines to formulate guidelines for immunization . During and after treatment for Hodgkin's disease, both pre- and postimmunization levels of antibody to Streptococcus pneumoniae, Hemophilus influenzae type b, and tetanus toxoid antigens were significantly lower in patients than in controls . Impairments in the antibody response were most severe in intensively treated patients and improved as the interval between treatment and immunization increased . The primary, but not the secondary, antibody responses to the hemagglutinins of the influenza virus A/Victoria/75 and A/New Jersey/76 also were impaired in treated patients . Before treatment antibody responses to pneumococcal vaccine was normal regardless of the stage of disease unless treatment began within 10 days of immunization . Levels of antibody decreased during therapy in proportion to the intensity of treatment but remained higher than levels in comparably treated patients who were not immunized at diagnosis . We recommend that patients with Hodgkin's disease receive pneumococcal vaccine at diagnosis at least 10 days before initiation of treatment . Patients who are treated before immunization may be immunized several months after treatment, although the response of heavily treated individuals to vaccination may be marginal . More studies are needed to determine whether reimmunization of patients initially immunize at diagnosis is safe and effective.

Rev Infect Dis, 1981 Mar-Apr, 3 Suppl, S119 - 23
Efficacy of pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine in preventing acute otitis media in infants in Huntsville, Alabama; Sloyer JL Jr et al.; In a study of the efficacy of pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide vaccines in preventing otitis media due to Streptococcus pneumoniae, 179 infants were randomly assigned to receive either a "target" vaccine containing serotypes 1, 3, 6, 7, 14, 18, 19, and 23 (which account for most cases of pneumococcal otitis media) or a control vaccine containing serotypes 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 12, and 25 (which account for few cases) . Vaccine (0.5 ml) was administered subcutaneously; a dose contained 25 micrograms of each serotype . The incidence of otitis media due to "target" serotypes was determined in both groups . There were not significant differences between vaccines and controls in either the incidence or etiology of episodes of otitis media before immunization . During a two-year follow-up, no significant difference was observed regarding the incidence of episodes due to "target" serotypes in infants who were immunized after 12 months of age . However, of 66 control infants immunized before 12 months of age, 22 experienced 33 pneumococcal episodes due to a "target" serotype, whereas only 13 of 67 vaccines accounted for 22 such episodes . Among infants who had two or fewer episodes before immunization, four vaccines and 13 controls continued to have episodes of otitis media and became "otitis prone," i.e., six or more episodes (chi 2 = 4.84; P = 0.05) . Low levels of serum antibody were not protective, and in one case a level of 609 ng of antibody nitrogen/ml of middle ear effusion was not protective . Thus, although the vaccine may be associated with a lower incidence of otitis media, the results of this study do not show a statistically significant efficacy of the vaccine.

Rev Infect Dis, 1981 Mar-Apr, 3(2), 342 - 53
The pathogenesis of pneumococcal otitis media in chinchillas and the efficacy of vaccination in prophylaxis; Giebink GS; Acute pneumococcal otitis media was produced experimentally in 100% of chinchillas whose middle ear cavities were inoculated with Streptococcus pneumoniae . Although intranasal inoculation with S . pneumoniae led to otitis media in 21% of animals, 66% of the colonized chinchillas that had negative pressure in the middle ear developed otitis media . Intranasal inoculation with S . pneumoniae followed by intranasal inoculation with influenza A virus led to otitis media in 73% of chinchillas, while inoculation with infleunza A virus alone produced otitis media in 4% of animals . Measurement of middle ear pressure by tympanometry showed the influenza virus-infected chinchillas developed negative middle ear pressure before the appearance of clinical signs of otitis media . While direct inoculation of the middle ear with pneumococci produced a purulent effusion within days after inoculation, intranasal inoculation with both pneumococci and influenza A virus resulted in the rapid appearance of a serous effusion, which became culture-positive for S . pneumoniae during the second week after inoculation . Spontaneous resolution of middle ear infection occurred within three to eight weeks after inoculation and was associated with an increase in the level of type-specific pneumococcal antibody in serum and middle ear effusion . The histopathology of pneumococcal otitis media included purulent middle ear effusion, epithelial metaplasia, and subepithelial edema and hypercellularity . The initial infiltration of the subepithelial space with polymorphonuclear leukocytes was superceded by infiltration with mononuclear leukocytes in animals that were observed for longer than eight weeks . Among untreated animals observed for long periods, production of granulation tissue, development of submucosal fibrosis, and osteoneogenesis were observed . Systemically administered pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide vaccine was effective for prevention of type-specific otitis media in chinchillas when vaccinated animals were challenged by intranasal inoculation with pneumococci followed by deflation of the middle ear . Animals that seroconverted with at least a twofold increase in the level of antibody in serum after vaccination had an 87% lower incidence of otitis media than did unvaccinated animals . Protection was associated with high levels of antibody in serum before intranasal inoculation, and higher antibody levels were found in sterile middle ear effusions than in effusions that contained pneumococci.

Rev Infect Dis, 1981 Mar-Apr, 3(2), 310 - 22
Complement and opsonins in alveolar secretions and serum of rats with pneumonia due to Streptococcus pneumoniae; Coonrod JD et al.; Complement appears to have an important role in the early defense against Streptococcus pneumoniae, but the role of complement as a defense mechanism within the lung is not well defined . Complement and heat-labile opsonins in pneumococcal pneumonia were studied by analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of rats inoculated intratracheally with type 3 S . pneumoniae . BALF and serum were obtained at 0, 6, and 24 hr after infection . Leukocyte counts in BALF and histologic studies revealed an acute inflammatory response in the lung at 6 hr; this inflammation progressed for 24 hr . Levels of C1, C2, C3, and alternative pathway activity in pooled, concentrated (20X) BALF of normal and infected rats varied according to the stage of infection and the complement parameter studied, but in all cases the levels were only a small fraction of the levels in serum . Concentrated BALF had measurable levels of pneumococcal heat-labile opsonins, but these were also low as compared with serum levels . A small amount of C3 was detected by immunofluorescence on pneumococci recovered from BALF of infected animals, but these same organisms could be coated much more fully with C3 by brief incubation in serum . The milieu in the lung during bacterial infection is very different from that in serum and may be marginally suitable for effective opsonization of successful pulmonary pathogens such as type 3 S . pneumoniae.

Rev Infect Dis, 1981 Mar-Apr, 3(2), 299 - 309
Host defense against Streptococcus pneumoniae: the role of the spleen; Wara DW; The asplenic patient has an increased susceptibility to bacterial septicemia . Streptococcus pneumoniae is responsible for approximately 50% of the episodes . Although the incidence of septicemia varies among patients of different ages and with different underlying diseases, half of the patients with overwhelming post-splenectomy infection die . Increased susceptibility to overwhelming infection with blood-borne bacteria is due primarily to the absence of a major phagocytic mass with a large blood flow . In the nonimmune host the spleen plays an important role in the phagocytosis and clearance of blood-borne antigens . Asplenic infants younger than two years old or splenectomized patients with an underlying disease that impairs their ability to form specific antibody to S . pneumoniae are at maximal risk for septicemia . In addition, studies of asplenic animals and humans suggest that the spleen has a specific role in the production of antibody . Activation of the alternative complement pathway may be abnormal in patients with anatomical or functional asplenia . Defective clearance of blood-borne bacteria in the nonimmune host, a decrease in antibody formation, and abnormal activation of the alternative complement pathway may be additive defects that place the asplenic host at risk for overwhelming post-splenectomy infection.

Rev Infect Dis, 1981 Mar-Apr, 3(2), 267 - 76
Multiple antibiotic resistance in South African strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae: mechanism of resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics; Zighelboim S et al.; Multiply antibiotic-resistant strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae appeared in South Africa in 1977 . In these organisms resistance to chloramphenicol is caused by an inducible, drug-inactivating enzyme; however, the basis for resistance to other antibiotics is unknown . Pneumococci with increased resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics do not produce beta-lactamases, a finding indicating the presence of intrinsic resistance to these drugs . One approach to the understanding of the mechanism of this resistance was to study the pattern of penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) in the South African pneumococci . With the use of highly radioactive penicillin to label PBPs in vivo, it was found that the South African pneumococci have a PBP pattern that differs from that of the sensitive laboratory strain R6 in several respects . Differences include (1) a lack of PBPs la and lb; (2) the presence of a new, faster moving protein (lower molecular weight), named PBP lc; (3) an apparent decrease in the affinity of PBP 2a for {3H}penicillin; and (4) a lack of PBP 2b . Taking advantage of the fact that penicillin resistance is a property acquired in a stepwise process, a series of isogenic and progressively more resistant transformants was constructed . DNA from the resistant South African strain 8249 of S . pneumoniae was used as the donor in a series of transformations for which the recipients were either strain R6 or transformants of organisms with lower levels of resistance . In vivo labeling of the PBPs of these transformants revealed a gradual shift from a pattern similar to that of the sensitive strain (in the transformants of lower resistance) to a pattern resembling that of the highly resistant donor strain (in the transformants of higher resistance) as the level of penicillin resistance increased.

Rev Infect Dis, 1981 Mar-Apr, 3(2), 233 - 45
An epidemiologic approach to pneumococcal disease; Riley ID et al.; In many countries of the developing world, pneumonia remains a leading cause of morbidity and premature mortality . In their quest for effective control measures not dependent on the socioeconomic changes in Western societies that have paralleled a reduction in mortality from pneumonia, these poorer countries are looking towards modern antibiotic therapy and pneumococcal vaccines as short-term approaches to the problem . This paper summarizes information about the response of human populations to Streptococcus pneumoniae with particular reference to the author's experience in Papua New Guinea, where penicillin resistance is an increasing problem and where pneumococcal vaccines have been shown in field trials to reduce mortality from respiratory disease among both adults and children . In each developing country, basic epidemiologic data are needed to assist in choosing the best available combination of strategies for control of disease due to S . pneumoniae . Our current understanding of the determinants of pneumococcal carriage and pneumococcal disease is still inadequate, however, and there is need for studies of the interaction of the pneumococcus and its host at the mucosal surface to better understand the differences in the behavior observed for the various serotypes.

Rev Infect Dis, 1981 Mar-Apr, 3(2), 190 - 211
Surface components of Streptococcus pneumoniae; Tomasz A; This paper briefly summarizes some morphological, biochemical, and physiological features of the pneumococcal cell wall and plasma membrane that may have a bearing on the interactions between a pneumococcal pathogen and components of an invaded host . Although the most extensively studied aspects of these interactions involve the capsular polysaccharides, recent evidence indicates that the "deeper" layers of the cell envelope also can participate in important events of pathogenesis . Emphasis is placed on information that may be useful to colleagues interested in further probing and identifying components of the pneumococcal cell surface that take part in the complex process of pathogenesis of pneumococcal disease.

J Exp Med, 1981 Mar 1, 153(3), 694 - 705
Antiphosphocholine antibodies found in normal mouse serum are protective against intravenous infection with type 3 streptococcus pneumoniae; Briles DE et al.; The antiphosphocholine (PC) antibody in normal mouse sera (NMS) provides protection against intravenous infection with encapsulated strain WU2 of type 3 Streptococcus pneumoniae . Mice unable to make anti-PC antibody, as a result of suppression with anti-T-15 idiotype or inheritance of the xid gene of CAB/N mice, are highly susceptible to infection with strain WU2 . Mice inheriting the xid gene can be protected with NMS from immunologically normal mice or with IgM hybridoma anti-PC antibody . The protective effect of NMS can be removed with PC-containing immunoabsorbents.

J Appl Physiol, 1981 Mar, 50(3), 524 - 30
Pathophysiology of gas exchange and pulmonary perfusion in pneumococcal lobar pneumonia in dogs; Light RB et al.; We placed an inoculum of Streptococcus pneumoniae type III into a left lower lobe bronchus of six dogs (group P), and in six other dogs (Group C) a sterile control inoculum was used . Measurements of shunt (Qs/Qt) and venous admixture (Qva/Qt) were made immediately before (day 1) and 48 h after (day 3) inoculation . All dogs in group P had extensive lobar pneumonia confirmed radiologically and at autopsy, whereas Group C had only small sterile lesions at the site of inoculation . In group P, mean Qs/Qt and Qva/Qt increased significantly to 0.15 and 0.21, respectively . Mean lobar Qs/Qt, calculated using blood samples from lobar veins at thoracotomy on day 3, was markedly increased in the pneumonia lobe (0.69) compared with the contralateral lower lobe (0.08), and alveolar ventilation of that lobe approached zero . Perfusion of the infected lobe determined by radioactive microspheres showed a variable and statistically nonsignificant decrease between control and infected states that was not affected by oxygen breathing . In group C there was no change between days 1 and 3 in gas exchange or in distribution of pulmonary perfusion . We conclude that hypoxemia in pneumonia was due to both increased shunt and venous admixture in the infected regions, and that local hypoxic vasoconstriction was in most instances ineffective in directing blood flow away from the consolidated lobe.

Infect Immun, 1981 Mar, 31(3), 850 - 5
Detection and characterization of hemolysin production in Streptococcus mutans; Woltjes J et al.; Beta-hemolytic strains of Streptococcus mutans were identified and physiological reactions and hemolysin production were studied . Strict anaerobic conditions were shown to be indispensable for the expression of beta-hemolysis on blood agar plates; hemolysis was only observed after growth in an atmosphere with an oxygen content of 10 ppm or lower . The occurrence of beta-hemolytic strains was found not to be restricted to one biotype of S . mutans . Two hemolytic activities were detected in liquid cultures . Oxygen-labile activity was detected in prereduced broth cultures and was shown to be unstable and indetectable in supernatants . Solubilization of oxygen-labile hemolysin was achieved by the addition of Tween 80 to the cultures . Oxygen-stable activity was detected in supernatants of cell suspensions in the presence of maltose, Casamino Acids, and Tween 80 . In contrast to oxygen-labile activity, oxygen-stable activity was not detected in broth cultures.

Infect Immun, 1981 Mar, 31(3), 1003 - 6
Bacterial aggregating activity in human saliva: comparisons of bacterial species and strains; Malamud D et al.; Using a quantitative assay to measure saliva-mediated bacterial aggregating activity, we have surveyed 20 streptococcal strains with saliva samples obtained from a large population study . Individual saliva samples demonstrated characteristic levels of aggregating activity for Streptococcus sanguis M5 . In general, high activity for this strain was associated with high activity for other strains of S . sanguis . Streptococcus mitis, and Streptococcus salivarius . The population distribution of aggregating activity for Streptococcus mutans, however, was different.

Clin Orthop, 1981 Mar-Apr, (155), 133 - 5
Management of an anaerobic infection in a prosthetic knee with long-term antibiotics alone: a case report; Marsh PK et al.; A 74-year-old woman had a spherocentric arthroplasty performed on her left knee . After four postoperative weeks, she developed and swelling in the joint . An anaerobic streptococcus was isolated from a joint aspirate . The patient was treated solely with knee immobilization and intravenous penicillin G for five weeks . Joint aspirates at the end of treatment and six months posttreatment were sterile . However, after ten posttreatment months, the peptostreptococcal infection recurred . Sterile joint aspirates six months after treatment are insufficient evidence of cure in prosthetic joint infections.

Rev Infect Dis, 1981 Mar-Apr, 3 Suppl, S31 - 42
Streptococcus pneumoniae polysaccharide vaccine: age and dose responses, safety, persistence of antibody, revaccination, and simultaneous administration of pneumococcal and influenza vaccines; Hilleman MR et al.; Contemporary 14-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine was first licensed in 1977 in the United States, where about four million doses of vaccine have been distributed to date . The vaccine induces excellent antibody responses in elderly persons as well as in young adults . The antigen content of the vaccine is 50 microgram of each serotype of polysaccharide per dose, and lower titers of antibody are induced when the dose is reduced to 25 or 12.5 microgram of antigen . Adverse reactions are usually mild and consist principally of local erythema and induration at the injection site, with mild fever in a small proportion of subjects . Antibody persists well for at least four years, and it is expected that immunity will last for at least 5 years after vaccination . Local and systemic reactions to the vaccine may be greater when a second dose of vaccine is administered within three years after the initial dose, and this reactivity appears to be due to a Arthus-like response that results from local formation of antigen-antibody complexes . Pneumococcal and influenza vaccines can be injected simultaneously into separate sites without impairment of antibody responses to either vaccine; this feature should facilitate administration of these two vaccines.

Rev Infect Dis, 1981 Mar-Apr, 3 Suppl, S184 - 97
Assessment of the antibody response to pneumococcal vaccine in high-risk populations; Landesman SH et al.; Vaccine-induced levels of antibody to Streptococcus pneumoniae of approximately 250-300 ng of antibody nitrogen/ml are protective against pneumococcal disease . Side effects of vaccination are not severe and are generally confined to local reactions at the site of inoculation . Patients with a documented high risk of acquiring pneumococcal disease include the elderly, especially those with underlying cardiopulmonary disease, and those with sickle cell anemia, Hodgkin's disease, a renal transplant, multiple myeloma, asplenia, and nephrotic syndrome . People with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus or renal failure do not appear to be at high risk . All of these groups, except those with multiple myeloma, respond to vaccine with levels of antibody that are protective for many but not all of the serotypes included in the vaccine . Immunosuppression, splenectomy, and hemoglobinopathy depress antibody response . Duration of vaccine-induced antibody is unknown but may be shorter than that in normal persons . Preliminary guidelines for vaccination are proposed.

Rev Infect Dis, 1981 Mar-Apr, 3 Suppl, S18 - 30
Chemistry and immunochemistry of the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine with special reference to cross-reactions and immunologic factors; Schiffman G; This review summarizes data on the cross-reactions observed among the subtypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae . Types 6A and 6B; 19F, 19A, 19B, and 19C; 18F, 18A, 18B, and 18C; and 23F, 23A, and 23B were examined with use of radioimmunoassay for measurement of inhibition of binding; the cross-reactions are discussed in terms of the known chemical structures of the antigens involved . Cross-reactions observed with use of rabbit antisera proved to be an unreliable guide to the responses observed thus far in humans . Cross-reactions of pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide antigens with other bacterial antigens are mentioned . These cross-reactions are analyzed with the idea of maximizing the effectiveness of the pneumococcal vaccine . Immunologic factors that may determine the quality and/or quantity of the immune response to immunization are discussed . These factors include antigenic competition and influence of preimmunization levels of antibody . Antigenic competition, although not a major concern with the present vaccine, may determine the upper limit of the number of capsular types that can be present in a single vaccine . The preimmunization level of antibody may determine the specificity of the antibody produced after vaccination.

Rev Infect Dis, 1981 Mar-Apr, 3 Suppl, S168 - 78
Serum antibody responses of high-risk children and adults to vaccination with capsular polysaccharides of Streptococcus pneumoniae; Giebink GS et al.; Pneumococcal antibody was measured in the sera of splenectomized children, children with neprotic syndrome, adult with chronic renal failure, adults maintained on hemodialysis, adult recipients of renal allografts, and normal children and adults before and after vaccination with a polyvalent vaccine against Streptococcus pneumoniae . The medical conditions of these patients are associated with increased morbidity and mortality due to pneumococcal disease . Nonimmunosuppressed splenectomized children, children with steroid-responsive nephrotic syndrome, and adults maintained on hemodialysis had normal concentrations of antibody in serum and normal antibody responses to pneumococcal vaccine . Children with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome and adult recipients of renal allografts had low concentrations of antibody in serum before and after vaccination but showed an antibody increase after vaccination . During the first year after vaccination of the splenectomized patients, serum antibody concentrations declined linearly by 24%-32% from the peak antibody level . These results suggest that immunization with pneumococcal polysaccharides may reduce the indicence of pneumococcal disease in some high-risk patients but not in others.

Am J Vet Res, 1981 Mar, 42(3), 462 - 4
Experimental infection of bovine mammary glands with Streptococcus agalactiae during the nonlactating period; McDonald JS et al.; Two experiments were done to determine the rate of intramammary infection (IMI) in dairy cows during the nonlactating period . In experiment 1, all glands were equally exposed to Klebsiella pneumoniae and Streptococcus agalactiae for the first 3 weeks after the start of the nonlactating period . Nearly all new IMI was caused by S agalactiae . In experiment 2, the susceptibility of nonlactating mammary glands to new IMI by S agalactiae after direct inoculation into the lactiferous sinus was determined . During the 1st month of the nonlactating period, 30% of inoculated glands became infected . During the last month of the nonlactating period, 90% of inoculated glands became infected.

Rev Infect Dis, 1981 Mar-Apr, 3(2), 323 - 31
Chemical structure of and immune response to polysaccharides of Streptococcus pneumoniae; Lee CJ et al.; By use of rabbit antisera, extensive cross-reactions were demonstrated among pneumococcal (Danish) types 6A and 6B, types 9N, 9A, 9L, and 9V, and types 19F and 19A . The structural similarity of the group 6 polysaccharides was associated with extensive immunogenicity in humans . In contrast, immunization of humans with type 19F or 19A may not induce sufficient cross-protection . The type 19F polysaccharide has the structure of a linear polymer of N-acetylmannosamine-glucose-rhamnose phosphate . Danish type 19A (type 57 in the United States system) polysaccharide contains this repeating unit and, in addition, has side chains of N-acetylglucosamine-galactose phosphate and fucose phosphate . Maternal immunization with type 19F or type 6A polysaccharide during pregnancy elicited high antibody formation in the offspring . Young mice, which received an additional dose of polysaccharide at two weeks of age, showed a higher antibody response than did those that did not receive polysaccharide . These studies reveal that the extensive cross-immunogenicity of pneumococcal group polysaccharides has a basis in chemical structure . Maternal immunization with pneumococcal polysaccharides may enhance the immune response of neonates.

Rev Infect Dis, 1981 Mar-Apr, 3(2), 289 - 98
The role of complement in the host's defense against Streptococcus pneumoniae; Winkelstein JA; In recent years there has been a growing realization that the complement systems plays an important role in the host's defense against infection and that it plays an especially critical role in both natural and acquired immunity to Streptococcus pneumoniae . The terminal components of the complement system, C3-C9, are responsible for most protective functions of the complement system . However, in order to subserve their protective functions, C3-C9 must first be activated . In vitro studies have shown that pneumococci are able to activate the terminal components of complement, C3-C9, by at least two different mechanisms, the classical and alternative pathways . Regardless of the pathway of their activation, C3-C9 produce anaphylatoxic, chemotactic, and opsonic activities in serum, each of which has the potential to play an important protective role in pneumococcal infections . Studies with experimental animals and the experience gained from study of complement deficiencies in humans have each fulfilled the promise of the in vitro studies by demonstrating that the complement system plays a biologically significant role in vivo in the host's defense against S . pneumoniae.

Rev Infect Dis, 1981 Mar-Apr, 3(2), 282 - 8
The host response to invasion by Streptococcus pneumoniae: protection and the pathogenesis to tissue damage; Johnston RB Jr; In vitro studies and analyses of the immunodeficiency disorders that predispose to infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae indicate that efficient phagocytosis is essential for protection against this organism . Thus, antibody- and C3b-dependent opsonization and the process of ingestion, not cell-mediated immunity or post-phagocytic killing mechanisms, are stressed . It is likely that the tissue damage of pneumococcal disease also results from the interactions between antibody, complement, and phagocytic cells that permit ingestion . More effective protection against pneumococcal invasion and better management of pneumococcal disease depend on improved understanding of these interactions.

Rev Infect Dis, 1981 Mar-Apr, 3(2), 254 - 66
Antibiotic-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae: clinical and epidemiologic aspects; Ward J; Antibiotic-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae, particularly penicillin-resistant strains, are being identified with increasing frequency . Pneumococci with intermediate penicillin resistance (IPR) have been recovered from patients for 15 years . These strains have minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for penicillin of 0.1-1.0 microgram/ml, an MIC that is 10-100 times greater than that for susceptible strains . However, in the past three years, resistant strains have been isolated that have MICs for penicillin of 2-10 microgram/ml . Disease caused by IPR strains may respond to high-dosage parenteral penicillin, but disease caused by more resistant strains, especially meningitis, requires therapy with alternative agents . Pneumococci resistant to tetracycline, sulfonamides, erythromycin, lincomycin, chloramphenicol, clinadmycin streptomycin, and rifampin have also been reported . Particularly ominous has been the development in South Africa of multiply resistant pneumococci, resistant to all the above agents, including all beta-lactam antimicrobial agents . This paper reviews the following aspects of resistant pneumococci: (1) the definitions of resistance and methods of susceptibility testing, (2) the geographic distribution of resistant strains, (3) the epidemiologic characteristics of infected patients, (4) the clinical manifestations of disease and response to therapy, (5) the distribution of serotypes and implications for use of the pneumococcal vaccine, and (6) the methods used to limit spread of resistant strains and to prevent disease . These new issues may alter the impression that pneumococcal disease is readily treated and no longer a major public health threat.

Rev Infect Dis, 1981 Mar-Apr, 3(2), 246 - 53
The epidemiology of pneumococcal disease in infants and children; Klein JO; Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most frequent bacterial cause of pneumonia, otitis media, and bacteremia and is the third most common cause of meningitis in infants and children . Infants have the highest rates of pneumococcal disease . Recent studies showed that the peak incidence of meningitis occurs among infants three to five months of age, that of otitis media occurs among infants six to 12 months of age, and that of hospitalization for pneumonia occurs among infants 13 to 18 months of age . A predominance of males was noted in most studies of pneumococcal disease . Blacks have higher rates of bacteremia and meningitis than do whites; this difference is explained only in part by the greater susceptibility to infection of children with sickle cell disease . However, the incidence of otitis media is lower in blacks than in whites . The predominant pneumococcal serotypes change with age, with time, and with geographic location . Certain serotypes are responsible for most cases of bacteremia or meningitis . Types present in the pneumococcal vaccine currently available represent 85% to 97% of the strains that have caused disease in the United States in recent years.

Rev Infect Dis, 1981 Mar-Apr, 3(2), 212 - 23
Bacteriophages of Streptococcus pneumoniae; Lopez R et al.; Properties of some of the bacteriophages of Streptococcus pneumoniae are reviewed . Studies with these phages have yielded several interesting observations and results . (1) A simple transfection system that uses DNA of mature pneumococcal phages was developed; results of studies utilizing this system have determined the intracellular events that followed infection with these bacteriophages . (2) Some pneumococcal phages have shown dependence on the bacterial (host) murein hydrolase for the liberation of phage progeny . (3) Phage Dp-1 has been described as the first lipid-containing phage with a gram-positive bacterial host . (4) Phage Cp-1, a recently isolated phage of unique morphology, promises to become a useful phage for studies of the genetic of the pneumococcus.

Rev Infect Dis, 1981 Mar-Apr, 3(2), 183 - 9
Pneumococcus: the first one hundred years; Austrian R; Some of the major contributions to biology and medicine resulting from studies of the pneumococcus (Streptococcus pneumoniae) and of the diseases caused by it in the century following its initial isolation are reviewed briefly . Among the topics considered are cellular and humoral defenses against pneumococcal infection, the role of pneumococcus in the development of quantitative immunochemistry, the historical position of the pneumococcus in the recognition of bacterial resistance to drugs, and the fundamental role played by this organism in the origins of molecular genetics and molecular biology . Because of the vast store of knowledge of the pneumococcus that has been acquired in the past 100 years, the hope is expressed that this knowledge will continue to grow and to serve as a basis for the extension of understanding both the bacterial cells and of the processes of infection.

Pediatrics, 1981 Mar, 67(3), 389 - 91
Adverse reactions to parenteral lincomycin; Berry DD et al.; Lincomycin use has not been reported exclusively in children and inasmuch as it has been extensively used at our institution, a chart review of 265 patients who received parenteral lincomycin at a dose of 100 mg/kg/day in four divided doses for five days or longer was undertaken . The following conditions were diagnosed: cellulitis, 39%; septic arthritis, 21%; osteomyelitis, 16%; abscess, 13%; lymphadenitis, 9%; and pneumonia, 1% . Cures were achieved in all . The majority of organisms cultured were Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes . Duration of therapy ranged from five to 63 days, with a mean of 15 days . The lincomycin dose ranged from 75 to 2,400 mg every six hours . The majority of patients received the drug intravenously, but 25.7% received it only intramuscularly . There were no adverse reactions at the administration sites . Only 3% of the patients developed diarrhea, which was not felt to be secondary to the drug . There were no cases of pseudomembranous colitis . Therefore parenteral lincomycin in children appears to be a safe and effective antibiotic when used for infections due to Gram-positive cocci.

Pediatrics, 1981 Mar, 67(3), 378 - 80
Streptococcal submandibular cellulitis in young infants; Patamasucon P et al.; Six infants with streptococcal submandibular cellulitis and bacteremia were managed in our institution during a seven-month period . Five uncomplicated cases were caused by group B beta-hemolytic Streptococcus, and one rapidly progressive case of Ludwig's angina was caused by group A Streptococcus . Recognition of this characteristic clinical presentation of group B streptococcal infection may be beneficial in the management of such patients.

Infect Immun, 1981 Mar, 31(3), 942 - 51
Interference of secretory immunoglobulin A with sorption of oral bacteria to hydroxyapatite; Kilian M et al.; The potential of secretory immunoglobulin A (S-IgA) to interfere with the initial phase of dental plaque formation was studied by using an in vitro method which permits the quantitative determination of the sorption of radiolabeled oral bacterial cells to hydroxyapatite (HA) beads . The importance of specific S-IgA antibodies was evaluated by a comparison of the effect of pure preparations of colostral S-IgA, polymeric myeloma IgA, or preabsorbed S-IgA . Specific antibody molecules bound at the HA surface significantly enhanced the sorption of two Streptococcus sanguis strains . In contrast, HA-bound S-IgA antibodies inhibited the sorption of Streptococcus mitior and Streptococcus salivarius . The same was true for Streptococcus mutans cells, but only when they were propagated in the absence of sucrose . Suspended in saliva, cells of all streptococcal species adhered in significantly lower numbers to HA . Comparative experiments with bacteria suspended in solutions of various preparations of IgA or immunoglobulin-deficient salivas with S-IgA or myeloma IgA added indicated that the adherence inhibition seen with S . Sanguis, S . mitior, S . salivarius, and glucose-grown S . mutans was partly attributable to functions of S-IgA antibodies . Under the in vitro conditions of the study, S-IgA antibodies had no effect on the sorption of sucrose-grown S . mutans, Actinomyces viscosus, and Actinomyces naeslundii to HA . The results indicated that S-IgA can interfere with the sorption of some oral bacteria to HA by several different functions.

J Pediatr, 1981 Mar, 98(3), 374 - 8
Antibody response to group B streptococcus type III and AB blood group antigens induced by pneumococcal vaccine; Boyer KM et al.; The effect of pneumococcal vaccination on antibodies to Streptococcus pneumoniae type 14, group B streptococcus type III, and AB blood group antigens was studied in 40 vaccinated adults . Fourfold or greater increases in type-specific IgG antibody to Pn-14 were found in 26 of 40 vaccines (mean increase 6.4-fold) and against GBS-III in 16 of the 40 (mean increase 2.9-fold) by an indirect immunofluorescence assay . However, only six of the 26 vaccinees with low levels (titers less than or equal to 20) of GBS-III antibody in prevaccination sera developed titers greater than 20 after vaccination . Thus, vaccination with polyvalent pneumococcal vaccine does not reliably induce high levels of IF antibody to GBS-III . Fourfold or greater increases in IgG isohemagglutinins against blood group A cells were also found in 22 of 27 vaccines (mean increase 4.5-fold) and against blood group B cells in nine of 34 (mean increase 1.7-fold) using the indirect anti-human globulin test . Chromatographic fractionation of selected sera confirmed that the anti-A isohemagglutinins stimulated in group O subjects were of the IgG class . Thus, pneumococcal vaccination during incompatible pregnancy could potentiate AO hemolytic disease of the newborn infant.

Am J Obstet Gynecol, 1981 Mar 1, 139(5), 512 - 5
Natural history of group B streptococcus colonization and its therapy during pregnancy; Lewin EB et al.; Seven hundred twenty-two pregnancies were studied in a private-practice setting to determine the natural history of colonization by group B streptococcus (GBS) over time . The colonization rate remained constant at 7% to 8% in each trimester, with 19% of the women colonized at some time during pregnancy . The organism was lost spontaneously at some time during pregnancy in 51% . Treatment of third-trimester pregnant women and their husbands with penicillin G resulted in a significant reduction in GBS colonization at delivery as compared to an untreated control group . If other factors are considered, however, routine culturing for GBS in pregnant women and treatment of those harboring the organism with penicillin G are not recommended.

Rev Infect Dis, 1981 Mar-Apr, 3 Suppl, S124 - 32
A study of the pneumococcal vaccine in prevention of clinically acute atttacks of recurrent otitis media; Makela PH et al.; A total of 827 infants and children three months to six years of age were vaccinated randomly after an attack of otitis media, with either the 14-valent pneumococcal vaccine or a control vaccine against Hemophilus influenzae type b . Clinically acute attacks of otitis media that occurred greater than or equal to 14 days after vaccination were analyzed by culture of the middle ear fluid . Children who had received the pneumococcal vaccine at the age of seven to 83 months experienced within the first six months after vaccination significantly fewer attacks of otitis media caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae than did children in the control group (50% overall reduction, p less than 0.01) . The reduction of attacks was specific to those pneumococcal types/groups present in the vaccine that induced a good serum antibody response; the specific protection indicated for vaccine types/groups other than 6 (to which the antibody response was very poor) was 67% (P less than 0.001) . No or very little protection was seen in infants younger than seven months or in any children later than six months after vaccination.

Rev Infect Dis, 1981 Mar-Apr, 3(2), 332 - 41
Regulation of the antibody response to pneumococcal polysaccharide by thymus-derived cells; Baker PJ et al.; The dose-response relationships in mice immunized with capsular polysaccharide of type 3 Streptococcus pneumoniae (SSS-III) show a distinctive pattern characterized by a single optimal dose for immunization within a relatively narrow range of immunizing doses . Most of the antibody produced is of the IgM class, and the kinetics for the development of both the cellular and serum antibody response to this antigen are parallel up to the peak of the immune response . Although thymus-derived (T) cells are not needed to initiate an antibody response to SSS-III, the magnitude of the antibody response is influenced greatly by the activities of two types of T cells with opposing functions; such regulatory T cells have been termed suppressor and amplifier T cells . The mode of action of suppressor and amplifier T cells as well as the manner in which they might interact during the antibody response to SSS-III are discussed.

J Dent Res, 1981 Mar, 60(3), 756 - 62
Rapid quantitative determination of the effect of antiplaque agents and antisera on the growth, acid production, and adherence of Streptococcus mutans; Ciardi JE et al.; A rapid quantitative in vitro assay measured the effects of antiplaque agents and antiserum on growth and sucrose-mediated adherence of radio-labeled S . mutans 6715 . Acid production was measured by change in pH . In this assay the primary effect of chlorhexidine and fluoride was bacteriostasis and inhibition of acid production, respectively; the primary effect of dextran, dextranase, and specific antiserum was inhibition of sucrose-mediated adherence.

Acta Otolaryngol, 1981 Mar-Apr, 91(3-4), 285 - 7
Microbiological studies of the bacterial flora of the external auditory canal in children; Brook I; The aerobic and anaerobic bacterial flora of the external auditory canal (EAC) was studied in 72 children . Aerobes only were isolated in 58 patients (80%) and anaerobic bacteria only in 2 (3%) . Mixed aerobic and anaerobic isolates were recovered in 12 cases (17%) . There were 122 aerobic and 15 anaerobic isolates accounting for 1.7 aerobes and 0.2 anaerobes per specimen . The most common aerobic isolates were Staphylococcus epidermidis (56 isolates), alpha hemolytic streptococcus (13) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (8) . The two anaerobic organisms recovered were Proprionibacterium acnes (13 isolates) and Peptococcus sp . (2) . These findings demonstrate the polymicrobial bacterial flora of EAC in children where aerobic facultative and anaerobic bacteria are part of the normal flora.

J Assoc Off Anal Chem, 1981 Mar, 64(2), 319 - 23
Turbidimetric assay for virginiamycin in feeds and premixes; Mueller-Brennecke D et al.; A turbidimetric assay method applicable to virginiamycin at level ranging from 5 g/ton in feeds to 50% in a premix is described . Incubation period is 4 h . Test organism is Streptococcus faecium ATCC 8043 . On 6 levels of feed-grade material, the overall mean recovery was 6.75% Standard recovery studies resulted in RSD values ranging from 2.01 to 3.88% and a mean standard recovery of 100%.

Infect Immun, 1981 Mar, 31(3), 1034 - 43
Characterization of the Streptococcus mutans plasmid pva318 cloned into Escherichia coli; Hansen JB et al.; We further characterized the cryptic plasmid pVA318 of Streptococcus mutans . It had a contour length of 5.64 +/- 0.26 kilobases and a guanine-plus-cytosine content of 32 to 34 mol % . Upon cloning the pVA318 plasmid into the vector pBR322 in Escherichia coli, we made the following observations . The expression of tetracycline resistance by HindIII-cloned chimeras, where the insert was in the tetracycline resistance promotor, depended on the orientation of the pVA318 insert . Both HindIII-cloned chimeras segregated from polA(Ts) cells at a nonpermissive temperature . Chimeric molecules cloned with PstI initially showed much instability; the reason for this is unknown, although stable variants were obtained . Both HindIII-cloned variants and a PstI-cloned chimera produced a pVA318-specific protein of approximately 20,000 molecular weight in E . coli minicells . The biological function of this protein is not known; it had no bacteriocin activity against S . mutans or group A Streptococcus indicator strains, and it did not appear in the E . coli periplasm . We constructed a map of pVA318 for restriction endonucleases HindIII, HpaI, PstI, and HaeIII . A previously reported BamHI site in pVA318 did not appear in the pVA318 portion of any of our chimeric clones.

J Hosp Infect, 1981 Mar, 2(1), 63 - 9
Outbreak of Streptococcus pyogenes infections in a geriatric hospital and control by mass treatment; Rahman M; Two outbreaks of Streptococcus pyogenes infection occurred in a geriatric hospital, the first involving one ward only, the second a few weeks later, affecting two . Altogether 17 patients and 6 members of staff were carriers or were infected . All strains were indistinguishable.Extensive investigation of the environment and screening of 120 staff and patients did not reveal a common source . The usual methods of isolation and treatment of cases or carriers and swabbing of contacts failed to stop the outbreak, but 'mass treatment' of all 32 patients in those wards was successful.

Rev Infect Dis, 1981 Mar-Apr, 3 Suppl, S51 - 60
Studies on vaccine control and immunogenicity of polysaccharides of Streptococcus pneumoniae; Lee CJ et al.; An immunoelectrophoretic method was devised for quantitation of 14 polysaccharide components in the pneumococcal vaccine, and for determination of their stability in the final container . By this method the individual polysaccharide types, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6A, 8, 9N, 12F, 18C, 19F, 23F, and 25 (Danish nomenclature), were found to be present at 80%-123% of the manufacturer's listed concentrations . Pneumococcal polysaccharide types 3, 6A, 9N, and 19F, used as representative types, were heated at 37C for 24 hr and stored at 4 C . The concentrations of these polysaccharides remained constant over a 12-month period, and the molecular sizes of types 3 and 9N were stable during storage . In contrast, the molecular sizes of types 6A and 19F declined gradually during the 12-month storage period . Pneumococcal type 19F polysaccharide was conjugated to various proteins, i.e., bovine serum albumin, human immunoglobulin, and pneumococcal R61 cell wall protein, by the method of reductive amination . Immunization of mice with 19F polysaccharide-protein conjugates resulted in formation of more antibody than was found in the control group . Young mice exposed to pneumococcal type 19F polysaccharide-protein conjugate during gestation and suckling exhibited a greater antibody response than did mice that received no type 19F polysaccharide-protein conjugate while suckling or received the conjugate only when they were only two weeks of old.

Rev Infect Dis, 1981 Mar-Apr, 3 Suppl, S179 - 82
Pneumococcal vaccine in sickle cell disease: IgG and IgM antibody response; Barrett DJ et al.; Infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae after immunization with polyvalent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine has been reported recently in some patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) . Since previous studies have suggested that patients with functional hyposplenia may not be able to produce normal levels of protective antibody and/or to switch from IgM to IgG class of antibody in response to some forms of antigenic challenge, we investigated the ability of patients with SCD to form IgM and IgG antibodies after immunization with pneumococcal polysaccharide . Our results demonstrate that both normal individuals and patients with SCD respond with both IgM and IgG antibodies . The level and predominant class of antibody varied with the serotype of antigen tested . Although statistically significant differences were not found, slightly lower responses, especially to pneumococcal polysaccharide type 6, were noted for patients with SCD . Further investigation of the immunoglobulin class of antibody produced by patients with vaccine failure will be necessary to determine if inadequate IgG or IgM response contributes to the lack of protection for these patients.

Zentralbl Bakteriol A, 1981 Mar, 249(1), 1 - 14
{T-proteins of Streptococcus pyogenes . III . Communication: purification of T-proteins extracted with trypsin, pepsin and C-phage-associated lysin by means of immunochromatography (author's transl)}; Schmidt KH et al.; T-proteins of Streptococcus pyogenes type 1 were extracted by enzymatic treatment of cells with trypsin, pepsin or C-phage-associated lysin and subsequently purified by ion exchange chromatography on DEAE cellulose as well as by immuno-adsorption on immobilized anti-T-type 1 antibodies . Immunochromatographical purified T1-proteins which were extracted by the different enzymes showed different properties in immuno-electrophoresis, SDS-electrophoresis and amino acid composition although a serological reaction of identity was found in Ouchterlony precipitation . Tryptic and peptic digestion was efficient for extraction of T protein while the extraction with C-phage-associated lysin was unsuitable for isolation of T-protein . The release of T-protein after treatment of cells with this lysin was very low and the preparation purified by this way exhibited cross-reaction with non-absorbed antisera of other types.

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